Mazembe defend slim CAF Cup lead in Tunisia

Democratic Republic of Congo club TP Mazembe defend a 1-0 lead at Stade Gabesien of Tunisia on Tuesday as they seek to avoid two African eliminations in as many months.

The star-stacked outfit from mining city Lubumbashi were knocked out of the CAF Champions League in the final qualifying round by Wydad Casablanca of Morocco during April.

Defeat meant demotion to the play-off stage in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Paired with African rookies Gabesien, who qualified only because Tunisian Cup winners Etoile Sahel secured a Champions League slot, Mazembe struggled to convert chances at home.

It took 94 minutes before Jonathan Bolingi broke the deadlock and gave the Congolese Ravens the slimmest of advantages ahead of the second leg in coastal city Gabes.

France-born Mazembe coach Hubert Velud believes his mix of Congolese, Ghanaian, Ivorian, Malian, Tanzanian and Zambian stars can survive at the 15,000-capacity Stade Municipal.

“Although we converted only one of many scoring opportunities, it was very important that we did not concede at home,” the 56-year-old handler told Congolese reporters.

“It is going to be a very difficult assignment for us in Tunisia with the home crowd urging on their heroes.

“But Gabesien have to attack because …

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