Shock in Cameroon, spoils split in Zimbabwe

The much-anticipated match between the best supported clubs in Zimbabwe ended in a draw, Union Douala are ahead in Cameroon after a shock away win, and champions Liga Muculmana have collapsed into the relegation zone in Mozambique. Zimbabwe Premier League: Staying unbeaten Highlanders kept up their unbeaten run as the league reached the halfway point of the season, but they dropped points at home in the classico against champions Dynamos. The team from the capital Harare drew 1-1 in the second city Bulawayo to move to seventh in the standings. They are nine points behind, but they have three games in hand because of their participation on the continent. Big game: Dynamos stunned the crowd at Barbourfields with a second-minute goal from Takesure Chinyama, who recently returned from Poland and is now being linked with a move to neighbouring South Africa. In what might be a farewell appearance, Chinyama crashed the ball home from close range, but Highlanders kept their unbeaten record with a second-half equaliser from Milton Ncube before fluffing a late penalty. Headline-grabbers: Mthulisi Maphosa has a reputation for reliability, but he was too casual as he took his 70th-minute penalty for Highlanders and instead of netting a potential winner for the league leaders, saw his shot saved by goalkeeper George Chigova. The Dynamos goalkeeper is the club’s second-choice but was thrust into the heat of the season’s top fixture because Washington Arubi is on trial in South Africa. Cameroon Elite One: A rare home reverse Union Douala have become the third team in as many weeks to go top of the Elite One standings, upsetting champions Coton Sport 1-0 away to move to 30 points from 16 matches. It is one more than Panthere Nde, who took over from Coton Sport last week, but suffered a shock home defeat to Aigle Royal Menoua. Big game: Coton Sport had not lost to domestic opposition at their fortress in Garoua – the Stade Roumdje Adjia – since March 2009 when Astres Douala beat them 2-1. More than three years later, Union Douala achieved the same feat with Charles Edoa Nga scoring the 70th-minute winner for the former African champions. Headline-grabbers: Oumarou Baba scored inside the opening quarter-hour and Armand Njeukou Nana netted the second in the 50th minute as Aigle Royal Menoua registered just their third win of the season. The victory moved them out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Kenya Premier League: Leopards pounce AFC Leopards beat Karuturi Sports by a single goal to extend their lead to four points, but they have now played one match more than champions Tusker, who were eliminated from the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in neighbouring Tanzania at the weekend. Thika United went third on goal difference after Ulinzi Stars lost with both clubs seven points behind the leaders.  Big game: Victor Ochieng scored in the last minute, pouncing on a loose ball to give Leopards their fourth successive league win. It was another unconvincing triumph as had been the case last week when they needed a penalty to beat Nairobi City All Stars. Leopards have now won each of those four successive games by a 1-0 score line. Headline-grabbers: Ugandan import Danny Sserunkuma scored two goals for Gor Mahia as they beat Nairobi City All Stars 4-0. Gor now have scored ten goals in their last four matches and are on an eight-match unbeaten run after a poor start to the season. They are eight points behind Leopards and well placed for a strong run on the title. Mozambique Mocambola: Maxaquene move closer Ferroviario Maputo suffered an away defeat against their namesakes in Nampula to see their lead cut to just a single point. Maxaquene, who have lost just once in their 14 league matches, won 2-0 against Ferroviario Pemba and now have 27 points. Chibuto are back in third place, five points behind the leaders, after drawing away at Chingale. Big game: An early goal from Belito had Ferroviario Nampula ahead in a ‘railway derby’ against the league leaders. And had he not been wasteful in front of goal, there could have been more before half-time. Emmanuel added the second goal in the 50th minute for a comprehensive win for the home side. Headline-grabbers: Liga Muculmana have won the last two championships, but are now in a crisis after a fifth successive defeat plunged them into the relegation zone. Their latest loss came in Inhambane against Vilankulo FC, where Tenday scored in the 78th minute. Liga have 14 points from 14 games but have taken just one point out of their last possible 21. Elsewhere Silver Strikers have won six of their opening seven games of the new season in Malawi, but they lead Civo United on goal difference only. Leaders Zanaco have had their advantage cut to four points after they were held to a goalless draw away by Forest Rangers in Zambia. Ghana’s new season will kick off on 7 October, the country’s football association have announced.