DR Congo envoys in this season’s CAF club competitions TP Mazembe and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo posted mixed results over the weekend as the competitions entered into the pre-group phase.
On Sunday, Mazembe rallied to an important 1-0 victory over Malawian side Nyasa Big Bullets away in Lilongwe to put on foot into the group stage.
A brilliant strike in the 6th minute by Malian forward Cheick Fofana steered Lamine N’diaye’s men to victory over Bullets at the Bingu International Stadium.
The five-time African champions will now need only but even a draw in the second leg to be played Lubumbashi next week, to progress into the group stage.
Meanwhile earlier on Saturday, CAF Confederation Cup envoys Lupopo suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United of South Africa at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Pretoria.
Sekhukhune opened the scores in the 12th minute through Chibuike Ohizu before Mokonzi Katumbwe equalized for Lupopo two minutes later, a goal that could prove decisive in the second leg for the Congolese side.
Jammie Webber restored Sekhukhune’s lead at the stroke of half-time with delightful strike from a free kick.
Tresor Tshibwabwa, a former Lupopo player, added more misery to hid country men and former employers in the 55th minute as he scored to extend Sekhukhune’s lead to 3-1.
The second leg will take place on Sunday, 1 October in Lingwala.
