TP Mazembe Earn First Victory in CAF Champions League with 2-0 Win Over Smouha SC
TP Mazembe finally tasted victory in the CAF Champions League after a 2-0 win over Egyptian club Smouha SC in their third Group A match on Friday at Alexandria Stadium. After two goalless draws in their first two fixtures, the Ravens of Lubumbashi broke their scoring drought and secured their first three points in the competition.
Rainford Kalaba opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a powerful strike, following an excellent run down the left flank from Adama Traoré. The home side, Smouha, responded with more intensity in the second half but were thwarted by TP Mazembe’s goalkeeper, Robert Kidiaba, who was his usual commanding self in goal.
With just six minutes left in the match, the young Malian Adama Traoré once again made a crucial contribution, providing a well-weighted pass to Daniel Adjei, who made no mistake in sealing the win with a clinical finish in the 84th minute.
This victory propels TP Mazembe to the top of Group A, temporarily ahead of their rivals, pending the result of the match between Moghreb Tetouan and Al Hilal Omdurman on Sunday. The Ravens now have five points from three matches and will look to build on this momentum when they host Smouha SC in the return fixture on August 8 in Lubumbashi.
