It was another weekend of lows and highs for players from the East African region who ply their trade away from the home soil. Despite some being on the losing end, it is more positive to note that they continued to rake in more play time as they gain confidence of their coaches.

Jesse Jackson Were

We start off in Zambia where Kenya international and former Tusker FC talisman Jesse Jackson Were stormed to the summit of the top scorers chat with seven goals in four matches after a blistering performance against Mufulira Black Pool in the Zambian Super League.

Were struck four times in a 5-0 obliteration of Black Pool to pick the man of the match award and take home match day ball – Clatous Chota Chama scored the other goal for the Coach George Lwandamina’s side who are now second on the log with 15 points, one off Nkana, with a game at hand.

In doing so, Were who joined “Team Ya Ziko” this season matched Luka Lungu’s 12th November 2015 record of scoring four goals in a single match when Power Dynamos beat Nkwazi 5-0.

The other two Kenyans at the Ndola Giants; midfielder Anthony Agai Akumu and defender David Owino “Calabar” were also fully part of the enthralling fixture staged at the Levi Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday 30.

Dennis Onyango

The towering Uganda Cranes shot stopper stood tall between the posts in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-1 beating of Soweto heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs in the ABSA Premiership at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa.

A first half goal from Leonardo Castro, a penalty by Thabo Nthethe and an own goal from Willard Katsande produced the magic for the “Brazillians”.

Amakhosi scored first through Lorenzo Gordinho but the defender was later red carded.

Sundowns remain firmly on course to the 2015/16 title with 62 points at the helm of the log table, three rounds to the end of the season.

Ayub Timbe Masika, Johanna Omollo

Timbe’s brace saved Lierse SK of Belegium’s Proximus League from relegation as he aided them to a vital 3-2 win over Excelsior Virton 3-2 on Saturday.

Virton were 2-0 up at the interval courtesy of Mehdi Lazaar and Alexis Lofan goals in the 32nd and 39th minutes respectively but on resumption, Lierse turned the tables to pick all the points and avoid the chop.

Etien Velikonja pulled one back in the 56th minute before Timbe grabbed a brace with a goal each in the 59th and 78th minutes.

The Kenya international made 21 appearances for Lierse this season scoring five times in the process – they finish seventh on the log with 51 points.

Johanna Omollo’s Royal Antwerp missed promotion to the Belgium Pro League next season after settling to a barren draw with with AS Eupen. White Star Bruxelles earns promotion after topping the league with 65 points, three better than Antwerp and Eupen.

“Tosh” came on in the 71st minute for Mamoutou N’Diaye to make his 27th league appearance. He scored 2 goals during the campaign.

Farouk Miya

It’s was another starting berth for the Ugandan international and former Vipers SC forward as his side Standard Liege succumbed to a 1-0 loss away to KV Kortrijk in the Belgium Pro League fixture at Guldensporen Stadion on Saturday 30.

A late goal in the 90th minute by Sidy Sarr from Herve Kage assist secured the three points for the hosts and deny Coach Yannick Ferrera back to back wins.

Miya scored his maiden goal last week when Liege thrashed Royal Excel Muscron 4-1 on Saturday 23.

Brian Mandela

Mandela marshaled Maritzberge United’s back line when they lost 2-1 to Superport United in another ABSA Premiership tie at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

The team of choice is embroiled in a relegation dog fight with Jomo Cosmos and Amatuks who are just a point better than them from the bottom with three rounds of matches to the end of the 2016/17 season.

Evans Rusike netted first for Maritzberge in the 28th minute before Bradley Gobler drew Superport level two minutes to the half hour mark – Jeremy Brockie made it 2-1 two minutes later to seal all the points.

Thomas Ulimwengu

Tanzania winger Thomas Ulimwengu was involved in TP Mazembe’s barren draw away to arch rivals AS Vita Club at Stade Des Martrys, Kinshasa on Wednesday 27.

The ill tempered match was marred by acts of hooliganism when Mazembe team bus was attacked by Vita supporters before kick off and windows shattered – Zambia’s midfielder Rainford Kalaba was hit on the head with a stone during the unfortunate incident.

Mazembe and Vita are joint top of the log with 11 points a piece.

Mbwana Samatta

The former Simba SC and TP Mazembe striker clocked 90 minutes for his club KRC Genk in a Belgium Pro League match which they lost 3-1 against Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium on Labour Day night.

Stefano Denswill and Ruud Vormer scored in the 21st and 43rd minutes respectively to hand the home side a healthy 2-0 lead at half time.

Lior Reafaelov made it 3-0 at the hour mark before Nikolaos Karelis pulled one back a minute to stoppage time.

Genk are fourth on the log with 33 points, 11 points a drift of leaders Brugge.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com