Soccer-African league round-up

JOHANNESBURG, April 13 (Reuters) -- A round-up of league action from around Africa at the weekend and on Monday:

SOUTH AFRICA

Midfielder Jabulani Mendu scored just before half-time for Kaizer Chiefs in their 1-0 victory over Dynamos on Monday to put them four points clear at the top of the premier league standings and closer to their first title since 1992.

Second placed Ajax Cape Town suffered a major setback on Sunday when they lost 1-0 to second-from-bottom Zulu Royals in Durban.

Jackie Ledwaba scored his 11th goal of the season for Royals, who are still firmly ensconced in the relegation zone.

Chiefs have 54 points to 50 points for Ajax, who have also played one match.

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NIGERIA

Dolphin FC from Port Harcourt stretched their surprise early lead of the premier league on Sunday after a 2-0 home win over Mighty Jets and are now five points ahead of second-placed Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

Iwuanyanwu, who have played one game less than Dolphin FC, also won on Sunday, hammering struggling Kwara United 4-0.

Bendel Insurance are third after they won 3-0 over NPA but have 17 points, already eight behind Dolphin FC after 11 rounds of the new season.

Gabros International are just behind on goal difference after 2-0 win over Shooting Stars on Sunday.

Champions Enyimba are 11 points behind the leaders but did not play this weekend because of the start of the defence of their African Champions League title.

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IVORY COAST

Satellite FC missed a chance to go joint top of the first division after being beaten 1-0 at Sabe Bouana on the weekend.

A win for Satellite would have put them on 19 points, tied with defending champions ASEC Abidjan, who have made an unbeaten start to the season but were playing in the African Champions League on Sunday.

Instead, Satellite remained second in the standings while Sabe Bouna are now fourth after the win.

Bottom placed Bingerville won their first game of the season with a 2-0 win over CO Korhogo, still just above them in the relegation zone.

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ANGOLA

Sagrada Esperanca took over the leadership of the Girabola on Saturday, winning 3-0 at home on Saturday against Primeiro de Maio in Dundo in the north of Angola.

Andia, Iteua and Isaac scored the goals which put Sagrada Esperanca one point ahead of defending champions AS Aviacao and high-riding Petro Huambo.

Both ASA and Petro Huambo played earlier in the week in anticipation of their weekend commitments in African club competition.

Petro Atletico, the Luanda club who were runners-up last season, can move to within two points of the leaders if they win their postponed match at Progresso Sambizanga on Wednesday.

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ZIMBABWE

A solitary second-half strike from Brian Badza ensured Harare-based CAPS United beat Shabanie Mine in Zvishavane for the first time on Monday.

Both sides went into the match with a 100 percent record after the first five rounds of the new season though CAPS' victory gave them a three point lead.

Railstars are third with 12 points, one ahead of Highlanderes, who beat Eiffel Flats on Friday.

Champions AmaZulu are just four places from the bottom but have played two less matches because of their involvement in continental club competition.

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ZAMBIA

The opening of the new season, set for Monday, was postponed following the death of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa's mother on Friday.

The Football Association of Zambia said the matches will be played later and the league will open on Saturday with the second round of scheduled fixtures, which include a home match for defending champions Zanaco against ZESCO United.

Mwanawasa's mother, Mirriam Mokola, died in South Africa where she was getting treatment for burns suffered when a bus she was travelling in caught fire.

There were no league matches in Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia at the weekend because of club involvement in the African Champions League and the African Confederation Cup.

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