Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Mazembe clinch Champs League title

BBC News - November 8, 2009
TP Mazembe

TP Mazembe of DR Congo defeated Heartland of Nigeria 1-0 in Lubumbashi on Saturday to win their third Champions League trophy.

The home side clinched their third continental title on away goals after losing the first leg 2-1 last week.

Heartland held out for 73 minutes before Cameroonian midfielder Narcisse Ekanga scored to bring the trophy back to copper-rich southern Congo.

Apart from the prize money of US$1.5m, Mazembe qualify for the end-of-year Fifa Club World Cup in the UAE with Spanish giants Barcelona among possible opponents.

Heartland seemed to be grinding out the draw that they needed, but wave after wave of attack finally resulted in the Mazembe goal.

As expected, Mazembe attacked from the start, but the first real chance came to Heartland, with striker Emeka Nwanna shooting wide from inside the box on 14 minutes.

The hosts almost took the lead in first-half stoppage time, but a glancing header from Dioko Kaluyituka was pushed onto the post by Heartland goalkeeper Augustin Brown.

Time seemed to be running out for Mazembe, but the goal finally came through Ekanga, who finished off a scrappy move by heading in from close range.

Mazembe then pressed forward for a second, and there was no way back for the Nigerians.

Heartland ended the game with ten men, with striker Emeka Nwanna send off for a lunge at an opponent on 90 minutes.

"Hard work is what was needed in this team, this is what is really lacking in this city of Lubumbashi," said Mazembe's French coach Diego Garzitto.

"If you work hard there will be a result, you can't be sitting down saying things will come from God."

The game was watched by President Joseph Kabila, and the victory is the culmination of a rebuilding process financed by club president and governor of mineral-rich Katanga Province Moise Katumbi.

Katumbi put in US$5m to win the US$1.5m prize-money, but realising his dream makes it worth it, as Mazembe can now look forward to the Club World Cup in December.

Heartland coach Kelechi Emeteole said that it was painful to lose the tie by virtue of conceding an away goal.

"It's a very, very hard way to lose out. My happiness is that we were not disgraced, this was our first experience of the competition and we'll be back to play next season," he told BBC Sport.

"The match was tough, it was a very good final for Africa, we've been able to show that African football is progressing."


Related articles


  1. DR Congo Citizens Head to Polls to Elect President, Members of Parliament (December 20, 2023)
  2. Florent Ibenge resigns as Leopards head coach (August 7, 2019)
  3. Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
  4. Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
  5. Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
  6. Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
  7. DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
  8. Vita Club arrive in Morocco for Confederation Cup finals first leg against Raja Casablanca (November 19, 2018)
  9. 2019 Africa Cup of Nations: DR Congo to play for qualification against Liberia (November 19, 2018)
  10. Bemba, Katumbi renew their support for joint opposition presidential candidate Fayulu (November 16, 2018)
  11. Oppositioin leaders pick Martin Fayulu as joint presidential candidate (November 11, 2018)
  12. Bemba says Katumbi should be allowed to run for president (August 4, 2018)
  13. Moise Katumbi blocked from entering DR Congo (August 3, 2018)
  14. V Club Crowned Congo Champions (July 12, 2018)
  15. AS Vita to play CS la Mancha in Confederation Cup (March 21, 2018)
  16. Mazembe drawn against Difaa El Jadidi, ES Setif in Champions League (March 21, 2018)
  17. Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
  18. DR Congo ranked 3rd in Africa: FIFA (February 15, 2018)
  19. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  20. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  21. Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
  22. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  23. Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
  24. Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute (May 2, 2016)
  25. DR Congo Win Second African Nations Championship (February 7, 2016)
  26. DR Congo reach final of African Nations Championship (February 3, 2016)
  27. DR Congo Beat Rwanda to Reach CHAN Semifinals (January 30, 2016)
  28. TP Mazembe Beat USM Alger to Win 5th Champions League Title (November 8, 2015)
  29. TP Mazembe beat El Merreikh 3-0 to reach Champions League final (October 4, 2015)
  30. El Merreikh beat TP Mazembe 2-1 in Champions League semis first leg (September 27, 2015)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.