Daring Club Motema Pembe (DCMP) secured a narrow 1-0 win over FC Saint Éloi Lupopo on Wednesday, strengthening their playoff campaign in the Congolese Ligue 1.
The match, held at the Stade des Martyrs as part of the seventh round of the playoffs, delivered a blend of early brilliance and late resilience from the Immaculés.
The decisive moment came early. In the 8th minute, Glodi Mambembe capitalised on a defensive lapse from Lupopo’s centre-back duo, Ikoyo and Mokonzi.
Diakana exploited the open space with a clever run and played a lofted pass into Mambembe’s path.
The forward controlled the ball on his chest before calmly slotting it under the bar, giving DCMP a dream start.
Despite the sweltering conditions in Kinshasa, DCMP maintained their composure while Lupopo struggled to respond.
Opportunities came for the visitors, but precision was sorely lacking.
Kiala’s wayward strike in the 20th minute, Djomekou’s scuffed attempt in the 35th, and Ikoyo’s late effort all failed to trouble DCMP goalkeeper Jackson Lunanga.
Lupopo’s wastefulness in front of goal, compounded by poor decision-making and a lack of cohesion, allowed the hosts to retain control.
The second half saw Lupopo intensify their efforts, with Kazema – introduced in place of Kabangu – testing Lunanga with a crisp left-footed drive just two minutes after the restart.
However, the DCMP shot-stopper remained alert. Lupopo’s coach Luc Eymael, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, turned to his bench, making three substitutions in quick succession to reverse his side’s fortunes.
Mutuila, Mika, and Pweto were all thrown into the mix, but DCMP’s defensive discipline remained unshaken.
Coach Barthélémy Ngatsono’s men held firm, keeping Lupopo at bay despite growing pressure in the final stages.
The result sees DCMP notch their third win of the playoffs, moving to nine points in the standings.
However, they remain seventh in the table, just behind TP Mazembe, who are one point ahead.
For Lupopo, the loss marks a critical setback. Now on 12 points and having played the same number of matches as their nearest rivals, they find themselves trailing the top of the table by six points.
The gap to the fourth-placed Cheminots has also grown, raising concerns over their playoff ambitions as the competition intensifies.
While DCMP may not have advanced in the rankings, Wednesday’s result provides renewed hope for a strong finish.
Lupopo, on the other hand, will need a swift turnaround to avoid slipping further behind in the race for Ligue 1 honours.
