USMA turn on power to remain Algerian champions

ALGIERS: Striker Moncef Ouichaoui scored a first half hat-trick as Algiers club USMA overpowered lowly ASM Oran 4-1 to retain the Algerian championship with two rounds left.

Super Eagles to tackle the Reggae Boyz

LAGOS: The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play a friendly international against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica on May 25 in Kingston. The Caribbean islanders impressed when holding South Africa 0-0 in Cape Town last week.

Struggling Angola coach warned

LUANDA: Angola coach Ismael Kurtz from Brazil has been warned to improve results or face the axe after one win in seven games. The Black Antelopes are virtually out of the running for a place at the 2004 African Nations Cup.

For many dollars more ...

CAIRO: African Champions League holders Zamalek of Egypt have renewed the contract of coach Carlos Cabral with the Brazilian reportedly receiving a 100,000-dollar signing on fee plus 16,000 dollars a month.

Another French connection for Algeria

ALGIERS: Algeria will return to France for a friendly against Burkina Faso on May 29 in Lens, officials said. The Desert Warriors beat Madagascar 3-1 and fell 2-1 against Marseille at French venues last month.

Benin club barred and fined

COTONOU: Benin club JS Pobe have received the mandatory three-year ban and 1,500-dollar fine from the African Football Confederation for failing to honour a Cup Winners Cup fixture against Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia last month.

?Slow Poison? lives up to name

JOHANNESBURG: Orlando Pirates are not only heading the South African Premiership table - striker Lesley ?Slow Poison? Manyathela is the leading national championship scorer with 17 goals.

African Nations Cup dates set

TUNIS: African Nations Cup pool matches will be played at six Tunisian venues between January 24 and February 4 with the quarter-finals on February 7 and 8, the semi-finals on February 11 and the final on February 14.

Maghreb clubs vie for ticket to Cairo

ALGIERS: Hosts Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria, Raja Casablanca of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia will play each other between May 15 and 20 to decide who represents Maghreb at the Arab club championship during July in Cairo.

New Cape Verde coach

PRAIA: Alexandre Alhinho has been named coach of Cape Verde in succession to Oscar Duarte, who resigned last month after repeated clashes with officials and media criticism.

Comoros set for international debut

PORT LOUIS: The Comoros islands will travel to Mauritius during August and compete at the Indian Ocean Games - their first international appearance since becoming affiliate African Football Confederation members this year.

Kaizer Chiefs to meet Lyon and Leverkusen

SEOUL: Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa have been paired with Lyon of France, Ilhwa Chunma from hosts South Korea and Bayer Leverkusen of Germany in Group A of the inaugural Peace Cup intercontinental club tournament.