Lubumbashi giants FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo are set to be rewarded three points without kicking a ball as their opponents and home side SM Sanga Balende failed to show up for their opening Ligue 1 fixture.
Balende chose to play their home matches away from their conventional location in Mbuji-Mayi owing to ongoing renovations been at their Kazala Bonzola Stadium.
The 1983 Congolese champions opted to play at the Diur Stadium in Kolwezi which is 700 kilometers away from their the city of Mbuji-Mayi.
However, Balende could not pitch up to face Lupopo on Thursday afternoon in their league opener with the visitors and match officials taking to the field in readiness and blew the final whistle as the “Bansantu” were a no show.
According reports, Balende had communicated to the league body their inability to fulfill the fixture due to financial constraints but did not receive any response.
It is now expected that Lupopo will be award three points while Balende may face sanctions for forfeiting the match that will go down as a walkover.
