The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) was here and is now over, with host nation Ivory Coast lifting the trophy, for the third time, preventing West African rival Nigeria from winning their fourth continental football title.
Ivory Coast came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Nigeria, besides that the Elephants of Ivory Coast sneaked into the last round of sixteen as the best loser ahead of Zambia who needed just a point against highly fancied but did not deliver, Morocco.
With that being said, Bolanews brings to you the return of major football leagues in the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) region.
The leagues went on recess to accommodate soccer fans in the respective countries and watch their national teams jostle for the African title.
Zambia Super League
Seven times league champions Zesco United tops the table with 41 points from 20 matches played. Behind Zesco are Red Arrows (38 points), league-defending Champions Power Dynamos (33 points), Kabwe Warriors and Green Eagles with (32 points) each.
Saturday, 17th February
Napsa Stars vs Kabwe Warriors| Edwin Imboela Stadium
Nkwazi FC vs Green Buffaloes| Edwin Imboela Stadium
Mufulira Wanderers vs Zanaco FC | Shinde Stadium
FC MUZA vs Nkana FC | Nakambala Stadium
Prison Leopards vs Kansanshi Dynamos| Godfrey Ucar Chitalu Stadium
Trident FC vs Red Arrows| Solwezi Independence Stadium
Forest Rangers vs Mutondo Stars | Dola Hill
Konkola Blades vs Zesco United |Konkola Stadium
Sunday 18th of February
Green Eagles vs Power Dynamos | Choma’s Independence Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns versus Orlando Pirates
This Saturday there is a mouth-watering encounter pitting league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns against rivals Orlando Pirates at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria. Sundowns top the table 38 points from 14 matches.
Second placed Cape Town City with 29 points will face Chippa United, third on the table SuperSport United with 29 points rock horns with Stellenbosch in fourth position with 26 points from 16 matches played before the league went on recess.
The Girabola League
Table toppers Kabuscorp SC Do Palanca lead the table with 21 points from 11 matches. Behind Kabuscorp are Atletico Petroleos Luanda with 19 points, GD Sagrada Esperanca 18 points, Wilieta SC, 17 points, CD Da Huila in fifth slot on 16 points from 10 matches.
Weekend fixtures Kabuscorp SC versus CD Lunda on while second on the table Petro De Luanda will face Desportiva Huila.
Botswana Premier League
Jwaneng Galaxy football club, defending champions lead the table with 35 points from 14 matches while Township Rovers occupy second slot on 34 points. Gaborone United, Matebele FC and Security Systems occupy third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
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Weekend fixtures Jwaneng Galaxy host Holy Ghost on 18th February 2024 with Township Rovers take on 9th placed Masiotaoka, with 18 points.
