African football briefs

African Champions League preliminary round, second leg results this weekend:

At Niamey
Niamey (Nig) 1 (Seydou 71) Nouadhibou (Mtn) 0
Aggregate: 2-2, Niamey win on away goal

At Saint Louis
Saint Louisienne (Reu) 3 (Caumartin 14, Boucher 25, Mosa 51) Adema (Mad) 0
Louisienne win 3-1

At Nairobi
Nzoia Sugar (Ken) 2 (Mwalala 25, Barasa 82) Red Sea (Eri) 0
Agg: 2-2, Nzoia win 6-5 on penalties

Birds occupy highest perch

JOHANNESBURG: Moroka Swallows edged back to the top of the South African Premier League on goal difference from Wits University after drawing 1-1 at Bush Bucks. Zimbabwean Adam Ndlovu scored for the Birds. Liberia feel the pinch

MONROVIA: Liberia coach Kadalah Kromah selected 16 foreign-based players for an African Nations Cup qualifier in Ethiopia this month only to be told by the cash-strapped sports ministry that the number would have to be cut.

Ahly retain advantage
CAIRO: Al-Ahly remain six points ahead of Zamalek in a two-club Egyptian title race after defeating Goldi 2-0 through goals from Adel Mostafa and Ahmed Hosny. Zamalek beat Baladia by a similar score.

'Rasca' is Aviacao hero
LUANDA: Defending champions AS Aviacao maintained their 100 percent record in the Angolan league with a 1-0 win over Desportivo da Huila courtesy of a goal by Antonio 'Rasca' Maieco.

Mali youth coach quits
BAMAKO: Cheick Diallo, coach of the Mali squad preparing to compete in the world youth championship in the United Arab Emirates this month, has resigned over continuous public and media criticism.

Ikpeba leaves over pay dispute
TRIPOLI: Former African Footballer of the Year and Nigeria striker Victor Ikpeba has quit Libyan champions Al-Ittihad after a pay dispute. Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma left the club recently for the same reason.

Stroke of good Fortune
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa World Cup midfielder Quinton Fortune has returned to action for Manchester United in a reserve match four months after breaking his leg playing against Liverpool in the English Premiership.

Long-distance president
MONROVIA: Liberia Football Association president Edwin Snowe clings to the post despite being based in the American city of Denver and returning home just four times a year. His critics include former superstar George Weah.

Egyptian 'bad boy' banned again
CAIRO: Egyptian 'bad boy' Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam has been suspended by Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam for the rest of the season over media comments. The move comes less than a week after another ban on the young striker was lifted.

Former Swaziland coach returns
MBABANE: Former Swaziland coach Dumisa Mahlalela has rejoined the squad as assitant to Mandla Dlamini. The relatively successful Mahlalela was dropped last year after a suicide attempt.

Ugandan club dissolves
KAMPALA: Ugandan Super League club Mbabara have dissolved after failing to meet financial commitments. They won only one of 11 league fixtures and lost 2-1 at home to Express in their final appearance.

Morocco to host Saudis
RABAT: Morocco coach Badou Zaki continues his build-up for a vital African Nations Cup qualifier in Sierra Leone this month by hosting Saudi Arabia in a friendly on March 18 at an undisclosed venue. afp03