One of the CAF Champions League semi-finals will take place this Saturday at the Olympic Stadium 7 November in Rades, where reigning champions Espérance de Tunis will face Democratic Republic of Congo’s Tout Puissant Mazembe.
TP Mazembe and Espérance Sportive de Tunis (EST) have developed a fierce rivalry over the past decade, dating back to the 2010 final. In that encounter, TP Mazembe delivered a stunning 5-0 victory in the first leg before holding Espérance to a 1-1 draw in the second leg. Patou Kabangu, one of the few players still active from that 2010 squad, compared the two eras. “In the 2010 squad, there was talent, but not in such large numbers as today. Overall, the squad was average, but with good organization and a very strong mentality on the pitch. This season, there’s a bit of everything in the group: youth, talent, and experience,” Kabangu told tpmazembe.com.
Looking ahead to the Rades clash, the striker emphasized the importance of mentality. “Against Espérance this Saturday, we just need to have the same mentality we had in 2010 to make the difference. It won’t be easy, I know, but starting with myself, I’m working hard to put on a great performance. Nine years later, I dream that people will talk about Patou Kabangu’s great performances the way they did back then. Like all the players who made that trip, I’m very motivated to play Espérance; I’m only thinking about the match.”
Kabangu is one of four players from the 2010 TP Mazembe squad still active, alongside Jean Kasusula, Joël Kimwaki, and Deo Kanda. The Ravens of Lubumbashi arrived in Tunis on Wednesday and trained at the Tunisian Football Federation’s headquarters. Their first session included tactical drills, laps of the pitch, ball possession exercises, and various player combinations over the course of an hour.
The upcoming semi-final is widely regarded as a “final before the final,” highlighting the intensity of the rivalry between these two powerhouse teams in African football. Both sides will be aiming to take a decisive step toward the Champions League final, with legacy, pride, and continental supremacy on the line.
