More than 20 positive tests for coronavirus at
several clubs led to the postponement or cancellation of league
matches in Morocco and Egypt at the weekend.
Three matchday 22 fixtures were called off in the Moroccan
Botola Pro 1 with Ittihad Tangier worst affected as 23 of the staff
tested positive.
Wydad Casablanca and Rapide Oued Zem were also hit by a COVID-19
outbreak and could not play.
Egyptian club Al Masry said 22 of their staff tested positive
and the Port Said outfit did not turn up for a fixture against
Ismaily.
EGYPT
With runaway leaders Al Ahly set for a record-extending 42nd
title, arch rivals Zamalek improved their chances of coming second
thanks to a 1-0 win over lowly Misr Lel Makkasa.
Forward Hossam Ashraf scored in the fourth minute of stoppage
time to secure three points for Zamalek, whose rivalry with fellow
Cairo club Ahly dates back to 1911.
Third-place Pyramids FC had to come from two goals behind to
draw 2-2 against relegation-threatened El Gaish with Tunisian Amor
Layouni levelling eight minutes from time.
Ahly have 53 points, Zamalek 38, Pyramids 36 and Al Mokawloon Al
Arab 34 in the strongest league in the continent judged by
Confederation of African Football (CAF) titles.
MOROCCO
Raja Casablanca won 2-0 at lowly Hassania Agadir and extended an
unbeaten run to six matches since play resumed last month after a
suspension since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The leaders needed just three minutes to break the deadlock in
southern Morocco with Soufiane Rahimi scoring and Hamid Ahaddad
added a second goal soon after half-time.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Raja have won four matches and drawn two since the resumption,
and the 14-point haul has propelled them to the top of the table
with nine rounds remaining.
The three-time African champions have 42 points, arch-rivals
Wydad Casablanca 40, Renaissance Berkane 39 and FUS Rabat and
Mouloudia Oujda 36 each.
TUNISIA
Leaders Esperance snatched a 1-1 draw at Etoile Sahel in the
biggest matchday 20 attraction of the Tunisian Ligue
Professionnelle 1.
Karim Aribi gave fourth-place Etoile a 19th-minute lead they
held until the third minute of additional time when Taha Yassine
Khenissi equalised.
Ivorian Chris Kouakou netted after 14 minutes to earn
second-place CS Sfaxien a 1-0 home victory over mid-table
Soliman.
Esperance have 50 points with six rounds remaining as they chase
a fourth straight title, Sfaxien 40, Monastir 39, Etoile 34 and
Club Africain 33. ZANZIBAR
Mlandege have been crowned champions in the semi-autonomous
region of Tanzania, garnering 68 points from 30 matches to finish
one point above Zimamoto.
It was the seventh title for the club, but the first since 2002,
and success qualifies them for a maiden CAF Champions League
appearance next season.
Zimamoto trounced Kapinga 4-0 in the final round while JKU came
third after drawing 1-1 with Malindi.
Defending champions KMKM had to settle for fourth spot, 12
points adrift of Mlandege, after a 2-2 draw against Mafunzo.
AFP
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/08/17/african-leagues-moroccan-egyptian-clubs-hit-by-covid-19/