Champions League: Ben Malango is not a concern for TP Mazembe

TP Mazembe’s management is showing no fear of their former striker, Ben Malango, now playing for Raja Casablanca. The Champions League quarter-final draw has paired TP Mazembe with Raja Casablanca, setting up a two-legged tie on February 28 and March 7, which will see the Ravens face their former forward, who joined Raja under controversial circumstances last summer.

In an interview with Congolese radio station Ouragan FM, TP Mazembe manager Frédéric Kitengie Kinkumba downplayed Malango’s significance, stating, “Malango is not an asset for Raja because they are playing against his former club. We are not playing against Malango. We are playing against the 11 Raja players who will be on the field. Malango is a player like any other.” He emphasized that TP Mazembe’s players know Malango well, including his strengths and weaknesses, giving the club confidence going into the tie.

Kinkumba also highlighted the advantage of playing the second leg at home, noting that Mazembe already has a clear strategy to secure qualification for the semi-finals. Regarding the first leg, he expressed optimism and promised a positive result.

The Ben Malango transfer saga has been a complex one. TP Mazembe had initially attempted to block his move, claiming the player still had a year remaining on his contract. However, FIFA granted Raja Casablanca a provisional International Transfer Certificate (ITC) last September. Since joining the Green Eagles, Malango has scored six goals in 19 appearances across both the Botola Pro and the CAF Champions League.

As a precaution, the 26-year-old was excused from traveling to Kinshasa for the group stage match against AS Vita Club. The case surrounding his transfer is still under review, leaving the saga unresolved, but TP Mazembe’s management remains focused on the team rather than the individual, treating Malango like any other opponent on the pitch.