Algeria

USM Algiers have taken a three point lead despite drawing 0-0 with NA Hussein Dey, in a match which saw both sides finishing with 10-men.

But USM were able to stretch their lead after the 4-0 thrashing of their closest pursuers USM Blida at the hands of JS Kabylie.

Algerian international Farid Ghazi, who was based in France, scored a hat-trick in JSK's triumph.

The win takes the Caf Cup champions to fourth place, while Blida descend to third. In second position are Mouloudia Oran who were the biggest movers after a 4-1 win over ASM Oran.

Nigeria

Defending champions Enyimba sit at the top of the table after beating Dolphins 1-0.

Enyimba's position was helped after the 0-0 draw involving former leaders Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes.

Enyimba lead on goal difference but are tied on 10 points with Kwara after five games. Sharks of Port Harcourt are third with similar points after their 2-1 win over Enugu Rangers.

Former African Footballer of the Year Rashidi Yekini made a successful debut against Kano Pillars, scoring for Julius Berger from the penalty spot.

It has taken the club to fourth and a point behind the top three.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Delta United have named Godfrey Esu as their new coach after losing all five games.

Angola

Dutch coach Jan Brouwer has started his new job with a win at Petro Luanda, as the 2003 season began over the weekend.

In a seven-goal thriller, Petro defeated Petro do Huambo 4-3. Brouwer was coach of Zambia until he was suspended last year.

Primeiro de Agosto are leading the table on goal difference after beating Desportivo da Huila 2-0 in a rain drenched affair.

There were also wins for Primeiro de Maio, Progresso do Sambiganza and title holders, AS Aviacao, who snatched a lone goal win away at Sonangol.

Morocco

In the top of the table clash, defending champions Hassania Agadir have extended their lead again to seven points after beating closest rivals Wydad Casablanca 1-0 in the half-way stage of the league.

Wydad had three players sent-off as crisis depends since their defeat to Zamalek in the African Super Cup.

The relationship between coach Oscar Fullone and the club president has been strained and there is the feeling that some of the star players have their heads turned towards a European career.

The defeat has sunk Wydad to joint third with Olympic Khourigba who won 3-1 against Jeunesse Massira, thanks to a hat-trick by Rahal Kaddouri.

COD Meknes moved to second position despite a 2-2 draw with Forces Armees Royal (FAR) Rabat. Meanwhile Raja Casablanca have continued their revival under new coach Henri Michel.

He got his second successive win, beating Kawkab Marrakech 1-0. Raja are now fifth after several weeks in the relegation zone.

Tunisia

Esperance Sportive maintain a commanding lead with their 12th win after beating AS Marsa 2-1.

Brazilian-born Jose Clayton scored the winner early in the 55th minute. Thirteen points keep apart Esperance and second placed Etoile Sahel who suffered a shock defeat at t he hands of CS Hammam-Lif from an 8th minute penalty by Ben Chouikha.

Former Germany-based international Adel Sellimi scored the winner nine minutes from time in a 2-1 triumph, to slow down the progress of third placed CS Sfaxien.

Cameroon

The debacle of titleholders, Canon Yaounde has overshadowed the exploits of PWD Bamenda, the two sides at the extreme ends of the table.

Canon are rock bottom in the standings after losing all three games this season, this time to Fovu Baham who won 1-0 with a 30th minute goal by Sadeu Bertin.

Canon are yet to score a single goal and have conceded five.

In contrast, PWD continue to make the headlines with a 2-1 win over 10-man Stade de Badjoun.

South Africa

European-based returnee John 'Shoes' Moshoeu scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute.

The strike by Moshoeu gave Chiefs a 1-0 win over Santos. Moshoeu was a member of the triumphant 1996 Nations Cup winning side.

However, it is their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates who are in the lead after a goal by Lesley Manyathela, scoring his 13th of the season in the 1-0 win over Manning Rangers.

Manyathela's header in the second-half gives Pirates a three-point gap ahead of Moroka Swallows.

Egypt

Two penalties by Mohamed Gouda has helped Al Ahly to a 3-0 win over Al Ittihad, keeping their place at the top of the table.

Ahly are ahead of Zamalek by 11 points.

But Zamalek are giving their arch-rivals hot pursuit with a 1-0 win over Tersana 10 minutes from time.