TP Mazembe has booked its place in the CAF Champions League group stage following a decisive victory over Red Arrows in the second leg of the preliminary round. The Congolese giants triumphed 2-1 at the Kamalondo Stadium in Lubumbashi, adding to their 2-0 first-leg win in Zambia, thus advancing with a 4-1 aggregate score.
Having already established a solid advantage in the away leg, Mazembe entered the home tie with confidence.
The match started brightly for the hosts as Sozé Zemanga opened the scoring in the 10th minute, giving TP Mazembe an early lead and a commanding 3-0 advantage on aggregate.
However, the Zambian side refused to go down without a fight and grew into the game as the second half unfolded.
Red Arrows found their equalizer in the 72nd minute after being awarded a penalty.
A foul by Mazembe’s Mawawu on a Zambian forward allowed Banda to step up and convert the spot-kick, leveling the score at 1-1 on the night.
Despite the setback, TP Mazembe remained composed and quickly regrouped.
The Congolese team maintained control of the match, and in the closing stages, they capitalized on a counter-attack.
Oscar Kabwit’s initial effort was denied by Red Arrows’ goalkeeper Kalumba, but Louis Autchanga, following up on the play, slotted the ball into the net to restore Mazembe’s lead at 2-1.
With the aggregate score at 4-1, TP Mazembe comfortably advanced to the next phase of Africa’s premier club competition.
Despite a valiant effort from Red Arrows, the Zambian side couldn’t overturn their first-leg deficit, and Mazembe’s experience and resilience ultimately saw them through.
The Ravens, as TP Mazembe is popularly known, now turn their attention to the group stage, where they will seek to add to their illustrious history in African football.
Mazembe has consistently been a force in the CAF Champions League and will be looking to go far in this year’s tournament, aiming to lift the prestigious trophy once again.
With the group stage looming, the five-time African champions are eager to build on this momentum, showcasing the depth and quality that have long been their trademarks.
