Mazembe grab dramatic win over Gabesien

The Confederation Cup trophy

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo beat Tunisia’s Stade Gabesien 1-0 with a dramatic late goal in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup play-off in Lubumbashi on Sunday.

Striker Jonathan Bolingi scored from a corner in the 94th minute to give Mazembe a narrow advantage over their Tunisian opponents.

Bolingi is one of Mazembe’s few Congolese starters in a line-up which includes Ghanaians, Ivorians, Malians, Tanzanians and Zambians.

TP Mazembe won the African Champions League for a fifth time last year, but their title defence lasted only two rounds before being eliminated by Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

Defeat meant demotion to the second-tier Confederation Cup with seven other Champions League last-16 losers and if Mazembe defeat Gabesien over two legs they will go into the tournament’s group phase.

Competing in a Caf competition for the first time, Stade reached the play-offs through an unbeaten six-match run, but none of their players are Tunisian national team first choices.

On Saturday, a dramatic rally brought Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa a 3-1 home victory over Medeama of Ghana.

Eric Kwakwa scored in the first minute for the visitors and they held that …

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