CAF Champions League: Stade Malien Coach Kamel Djabour Reflects on “Logical” Elimination by TP Mazembe
Following Stade Malien’s elimination from the CAF Champions League at the hands of TP Mazembe, head coach Kamel Djabour has acknowledged the superiority of the Congolese giants and described the defeat as “logical”, despite his team’s spirited effort.
The Malian side, who had drawn 2-2 in the first leg in Bamako, were beaten 2-1 in Lubumbashi during the return leg of the Round of 16. The aggregate scoreline saw Mazembe advance to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition, while Stade Malien drop into the CAF Confederation Cup playoff round.
“The defeat hurt us greatly because we didn’t qualify against an opponent who had done everything they could to win. TP Mazembe deserved their victory. There’s nothing to say about that,” Djabour told Mazembe’s official website.
Despite the disappointment, the Moroccan coach praised his squad’s resilience and outlined the factors that made the second leg especially difficult. Djabour noted that the intense heat from the synthetic surface at the Stade TP Mazembe sapped his players’ energy and hampered their usual rhythm.
“We played two very different halves. In the first half, we watched Mazembe play while dealing with the intimidating atmosphere created by their supporters. The pitch gave off a lot of heat. We’re not used to these conditions, and it really took a toll on my players,” he explained.
Djabour did, however, commend his team’s response after the break.
“In the second half, we regained control of our game. I asked my players to give it their all and try to shake up Mazembe. Even if the result wasn’t in our favor, I believe we didn’t play badly.”
Stade Malien will now look to rebound in the Confederation Cup, where they’ll join seven other clubs eliminated from the Champions League in a playoff round against sides that qualified from the Confederation Cup’s Round of 16.
The draw for the playoff round will take place on Tuesday, with the Bamako-based club hoping for a more favorable run in Africa’s second-tier competition.
While disappointment lingers, Djabour and his men shift their focus to the road ahead—where redemption and continental progress still remain within reach.
