Linafoot Playoffs: Lupopo edge Lushois Derby; wins for Maniema Union and Les Aigles

AS Maniema Union and defending champions Les Aigles du Congo emerged victorious on Tuesday in a busy second matchday of the Linafoot playoffs. Meanwhile, in the headline match of the day, it was a narrow victory for FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo over Lubumbashi rivals TP Mazembe.

There was plenty at stake in the slate of matches as the DRC’s top clubs battled to confirm positive starts in the championship phase of the competition. After being held to a 1-1 draw by reigning champions Les Aigles, Saint-Éloi Lupopo gained valuable momentum with a victory over rivals Mazembe in the Lushois Derby.

Rising Niger national team star Abdoul-Latif Goumey provided the winning goal around the 70th minute after Mazembe goalkeeper Marc Diouf spilled a cross. Goumey collected the ball at the edge of the six-yard box and was left with a simple finish after Diouf’s attempt left the Senegalese keeper out of position.

Les Cheminots showed efficiency and capitalized on moments of inefficiency from Mazembe. Lupopo snatched the lead by halftime in the 26th minute after a poorly-executed Ravens corner kick led to a clinicial counter-attack. Henoc Molia ended up with the ball on the left wing and skillfully maneuvered around a defender befor placing his shot into the top corner from a difficult angle.

The Ravens equalized early in the second half but Diouf’s failure to cleanly gather Molia’s cross led to the winning goal for the Railwaymen, who overtake their rivals on the playoff table with the result.

AS Maniema Union are the leaders, with a perfect record from two matches following a 1-0 victory over upstarts Celeste FC. Following a scoreless first half, it took less than thirty seconds for Les Verts et Noirs to find the match winner through Chadoma Mukeni.

 

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In the other match of the day, Kinshasa-based defending champions Les Aigles navigated past AS Simba with a 2-0 victory to keep themselves well in contention. Kikwama Mujinga continued his strong run of form by giving the club from the capital the lead close to halftime from the penalty spot.

Jonathan Ikangalombo finished off the victory late on for Les Aigles, who join Lupopo in being two points back of leaders Maniema Union. In the other match of the second round from Monday, CS Don Bosco earned their first points with a 2-1 victory over AS Vita Club courtesy of a standout performance from Élie Mpoyo.

Linafoot Playoff Table