The decisive return leg of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ligue 1 playoffs kicks off on Sunday, June 8, 2025, with TP Mazembe hosting CS Don Bosco at their Lubumbashi fortress.
The reigning champions find themselves under intense pressure to reclaim lost ground as the championship race intensifies.
After 11 rounds, TP Mazembe sits fourth in the standings with 22 points, trailing leaders FC Saint Éloi Lupopo by two points.
This positioning leaves the Kamalondo-based team outside the coveted African competition qualification spots, amplifying the stakes for their encounter against Don Bosco.
Coach Lamine Ndiaye’s side is tasked with a must-win performance to revive their continental ambitions.
With home advantage and the support of a passionate crowd, anything less than victory would be a severe blow to their aspirations.
The competitive landscape is tightly packed at the summit, with four teams locked in a fierce contest.
FC Lupopo currently spearheads the table, buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Sanga Balende in the closing match of the first half of the season.
The railway club prepares for a challenging away fixture against FC Tanganyika on June 10 in Kalemie, a trip that demands cautious optimism from coach Christian Bracconi’s squad.
Meanwhile, FC Les Aigles du Congo and AS Maniema Union remain firmly in the hunt, each level with Mazembe on 22 points.
The Congo Eagles face a pivotal showdown with AS Vita Club on Monday at Kinshasa’s Stade des Martyrs.
Maniema Union also has a critical match at the same venue against AF Anges Verts, where any slip-up could derail their ambitions.
The upcoming 12th matchday features several compelling fixtures that could significantly influence the final standings:
- CS Don Bosco vs TP Mazembe – June 8, at TP Mazembe Stadium, Lubumbashi
- AS Vita Club vs FC Les Aigles du Congo – June 9, Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa
- AF Anges Verts vs AS Maniema Union – June 10, Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa
- FC Tanganyika vs FC Lupopo – June 10, Kibassa Maliba Stadium, Lubumbashi
- AS Simba vs SM Sanga Balende – June 10, Kibassa Maliba Stadium, Lubumbashi
- DCMP vs AC Rangers – June 10, Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa
With the title race and continental qualification spots hanging in the balance, this stretch of matches marks the final sprint for all involved.
For TP Mazembe, the imperative is clear: secure three points against Don Bosco and reignite their campaign before the playoffs reach their conclusion.
