CAF Champions League: TP Mazembe score late to beat Medeama SC

Ghana’s Medeama SC face an uphill battle to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive after conceding a late goal to lose 1-0 at home to TP Mazembe in the first preliminary round.

Substitute Lise Ntumba Nyembo struck in the 87th minute to give the Congolese giants a crucial advantage at TnA Stadium in Tarkwa on Sunday.

The Ghanaian side had matched their visitors for much of the contest and created several opportunities, but a swift late counter-attack proved decisive as Mazembe claimed an important away victory.

Medeama must now overturn the one-goal deficit when the two sides meet again in Lubumbashi next week.

Goalkeepers shine in competitive first half

TP Mazembe created the first significant opportunity in the 33rd minute when Chadrack Bingi-Belo found space inside the Medeama penalty area.

However, his header from a free-kick lacked sufficient power and direction, allowing goalkeeper Felix Kyei to make a comfortable save.

Medeama responded with an opportunity of their own as Dominic Amponsah threatened from close range, only for Mazembe goalkeeper Marc Diouf to produce an impressive save.

Kyei was called into action again shortly before half-time, making a spectacular stop to deny Josue Kazema and ensure the sides went into the break level.

Medeama press for breakthrough

The hosts continued to search for an opening after the restart, encouraged by their home supporters in Tarkwa.

Winger Emmanuel Annor came close to giving Medeama the lead in the 64th minute when he struck from inside the penalty area, but Diouf was once again equal to the effort.

As the match entered its closing stages, Medeama appeared to be heading towards a potentially useful goalless draw against one of African football’s most experienced continental campaigners.

But Mazembe had other ideas.

Nyembo delivers late blow

With just three minutes of normal time remaining, the Congolese side launched a swift counter-attack that caught Medeama’s defence off guard.

Substitute Nyembo took advantage of the opportunity, finding the net to silence the home crowd and hand TP Mazembe a vital 1-0 lead.

Medeama pushed for a late response but could not find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Tough task awaits in Lubumbashi

The result gives TP Mazembe a narrow but significant advantage heading into the return leg in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For Medeama, Ghana’s representatives must now produce a strong away performance in Lubumbashi to overturn the deficit and reach the next stage of the CAF Champions League.

The defeat will be frustrating for the Tarkwa-based club after a competitive display in which they created chances and remained level for most of the match.

However, one late defensive lapse has left Medeama with everything to do in the decisive second leg against the five-time African champions.