CAF Champions League: Samatta Strike Seals Vital Win for TP Mazembe in Congolese Derby
TP Mazembe claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over domestic rivals AS Vita Club in a high-stakes Congolese derby in Group A of the CAF Champions League, played on Sunday at the Kamalondo Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The match was played in a far more peaceful atmosphere than their last infamous encounter in Kinshasa, which tragically ended in violence and the deaths of 15 people. This time, football was allowed to take centre stage, and it was Tanzanian striker Mbwana Aly Samatta who provided the decisive moment.
Samatta’s goal in the 62nd minute was enough to secure the win for “Les Corbeaux” (The Ravens), lifting them back into contention in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive group.
The victory comes as a much-needed boost for Mazembe, who had stumbled in their opening group-stage fixture with a loss to Sudanese side Hilal Ondurman. Sunday’s win now places all four teams in Group A—Zamalek, TP Mazembe, AS Vita Club, and Hilal Ondurman—on three points each, highlighting the group’s remarkable balance after two rounds.
On Saturday, Egyptian giants Zamalek SC edged past Hilal with a 2-1 victory, which added further intensity to Sunday’s showdown in Lubumbashi. With this win, Mazembe not only secured three points but also reignited hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
The Congolese derby remains one of the continent’s most passionate football fixtures. Sunday’s edition may not have featured high drama on the scoreboard, but it delivered a crucial result in a group where every point could prove decisive.
As Group A heads into its third matchday, the standings remain wide open. TP Mazembe and the other contenders will be looking to build momentum in what promises to be a thrilling battle for the two qualifying spots.
