AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe played out a tense goalless draw on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, at Kinshasa’s Stade des Martyrs, as two of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most storied clubs failed to find a breakthrough in their latest Ligue 1 playoff encounter.
Both sides entered the match under pressure to improve their positions in the league standings.
Vita Club were aiming to solidify their place in the top five, while Mazembe sought a return to form in the race for continental qualification.
Yet, despite the anticipation surrounding this edition of the Congolese classic, the match ended with no goals and limited reward for either side.
The opening half saw TP Mazembe assert themselves with authority.
Driven by a youthful and dynamic front line including Oscar Kabwit, Faveurdi Bongeli, and Patrick Mwaungulu, the team from Lubumbashi created multiple chances.
Their attacking energy was palpable, but they found themselves repeatedly thwarted by the inspired goalkeeping of Farid Ouedraogo.
The Burkinabe international stood tall between the posts for Vita Club, making several key saves to preserve the deadlock.
His commanding presence ensured that, despite Mazembe’s early dominance and Vita’s defensive vulnerabilities, the scoreline remained 0-0 heading into the interval.
Looking to regain control, AS Vita Club’s assistant coach, Grosbois, made notable tactical adjustments after the break.
The first half had seen seasoned names like Djuma Shabani, William Likuta, and Chico Ushindi lead the line.
In the second, youth took centre stage with substitutions bringing on fresh legs in Aryton Mboko, Kabeya, and Nzanga Malamu.
The changes injected renewed energy into Vita Club’s play, allowing them to push forward and challenge Mazembe more effectively.
The game opened up, with both teams exchanging blows in midfield and searching for a decisive moment.
However, finishing proved elusive as neither side managed to convert their chances into goals.
In the end, the draw served as a reflection of the evenly matched nature of the contest.
AS Vita Club hold on to fifth place in the standings, now with 12 points from seven matches.
TP Mazembe trail just behind in sixth, with 10 points from the same number of fixtures.
While the match lacked the dramatic flair often associated with this long-standing rivalry, it demonstrated the defensive discipline and tactical awareness both teams possess.
For now, the battle continues in the tightly contested playoff race.
