Algerian side USM Alger tightened their grip on CAF Confederation Cup Group A on Saturday as defensive resilience and missed chances defined key domestic fixtures elsewhere on the continent.

USMA maintained their perfect group record with a 2-0 victory over Malian visitors Djoliba in Algiers.
Zakaria Draoui opened the scoring after 13 minutes, volleying home a Houssem Ghacha cross past goalkeeper Faveur Kouassi, before Ahmed Khaldi sealed the result late on with a shot into the roof of the net on 84 minutes.
The win lifted the Algerians to nine points from three matches.

Olympique Safi of Morocco and San Pedro of Ivory Coast, who meet on Sunday, each have three points, while Djoliba, runners-up in the competition in 2013, remain without a point after three defeats.
The group winners and runners-up, after home-and-away matches against each opponent, will progress to the quarter-finals.
The remaining seven fixtures from matchday three are scheduled for Sunday, including a southern Africa clash between ZESCO United of Zambia and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa.

In South Africa’s Premiership, defensive organisation proved decisive as Sekhukhune United held title contenders Orlando Pirates to a 0-0 draw in Polokwane.
Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler credited his back line for the result. “Our defence won us a point,” said the former Africa Cup of Nations winner.
Tinkler singled out centre-backs Bright Ndlovu, who was named player of the match, and Daniel Cardoso, along with goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner.

“In the closing stages it was a case of Pirates attacking and us defending,” he said. The draw left Pirates second on the table and Sekhukhune fourth.
Pirates are level on 29 points with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns but trail on goal difference.
Sundowns did not play at the weekend due to a CAF Champions League fixture on Friday.

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou felt his side had done enough to claim victory. “I liked the intensity of my players and we deserved to win given the number of chances we created,” he said. “Technically and tactically we were very disciplined against a good Sekhukhune team. If we repeat this performance victories are guaranteed.”
Knowing a win would have given them a two-point lead over Sundowns with a game in hand, Pirates pressed late on. Midfielder Kamogelo Sebelebele went close after beating two defenders, seeing one effort blocked and a follow-up saved by Leaner.

Elsewhere, Chippa United eased off the foot of the table with a 1-0 away win over fellow strugglers Orbit College. Eswatini forward Justice Figuareido scored on 60 minutes in Rustenburg to secure only Chippa’s second victory in 16 matches, ending a nine-game winless run that stretched back to their previous success against Orbit last September.