Mazembe Boss Patrice Carteron Blames International Break for Shock Defeat
By BBC News | Football – DR Congo
TP Mazembe head coach Patrice Carteron has blamed the disruption caused by the recent international break for his side’s surprise 1-0 loss to Sanga Balende in the Congolese top flight.
The defeat came during the third round of the national championship and has raised questions about the form and focus of one of DR Congo’s most storied clubs.
Speaking after the match, Carteron suggested that the return of international players had negatively impacted team cohesion and performance.
“Every time international players come back from duty, they’re never good,” he said. “That’s why I preferred to focus on those who stayed here for 15 days and worked hard. They didn’t disappoint me.”
Despite standing by his team selection, the Frenchman admitted the squad must face difficult questions about its overall performance — particularly in front of goal.
“It’s important to question ourselves regarding our lack of effectiveness,” Carteron said. “We created too many chances without scoring. That’s a real problem.”
Carteron also dismissed the match as a poor reflection of his team’s true progress.
“It’s not on a fake match like the one against Sanga Balende that we can truly measure the development of the squad,” he remarked, implying that the conditions or nature of the game did not allow for a proper assessment.
The defeat leaves Mazembe in a precarious position as they look to mount a serious title challenge this season. Known for their continental pedigree, the Lubumbashi-based giants have high expectations, both domestically and in African competitions.
“We have to win away from home,” Carteron stressed, acknowledging that consistent results on the road are essential if the club is to stay in contention.
Mazembe now face growing pressure to bounce back quickly and prove their credentials as championship contenders. With fan expectations high and the league growing increasingly competitive, Carteron’s ability to rally his squad in the coming fixtures will be closely watched.
