Andrew Olsson
May 9, 2026Linafoot Playoffs: Maniema Union suffer setback, TP Mazembe take advantage
19-year-old TP Mazembe starlet Faveurdi Bongeli was instrumental on Saturday. Photo: TP Mazembe
Linafoot Playoffs: Maniema Union suffer setback, TP Mazembe take advantage
TP Mazembe moved into top spot in the Linafoot playoffs on Saturday following a 2-0 victory over Celeste FC at the Stade Tata Raphaël in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.
The Ravens are now level on six points with previous leaders AS Maniema Union after the incumbents fell to a surprise 1-4 defeat against AS Simba in Lubumbashi, which also took place on Saturday. Kolwezi-based Simba showed no mercy on their opportunities to punish a poor effort from Les Verts et Noires.
The two teams exchanged first half goals but Simba took the initiative just before halftime when a corner kick led to a Maniema Union own goal. Simba pushed forward with momentum in the second half and secured the three points courtesy of Ilunga Nsungu’s far post finish from a cross.
Kinda Kalombo finished off a decisive victory in the 55th minute for Les Kamikazes, who move into the discussion in the top half of the playoff table after earning their first victory of the championship phase.
Mazembe, in the final match of the day in Kinshasa, found inspiration from 19-year-old Faveurdi Bongeli. One of the top young talents from the club produced a double to down playoff debutants Celeste in a 2-0 victory.
Early in the second half, Bongeli opened the scoring with a long-range strike to put the Ravens ahead before finishing off the result with a late header.
The Lubumbashi giants, eager to atone for a disastrous 2024-25 season that saw them fail to qualify for CAF interclub competition, are on pace to mount a serious challenge for the title. An emphasis on youth after years of acquiring expensive African talent from around the continent is beginning to pay dividends in the form of players like Bongeli.
In the earlier match played at the Stade Tata Raphaël, defending champions Les Aigles du Congo were held to a 1-1 draw by CS Don Bosco. Les Aigles remain in the chase, trailing Mazembe and Maniema Union by a point and lurking for an opportunity to move up and seize first place.
Linafoot Playoffs Results: May 9
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Updated Linafoot Playoffs Table
| Team | GP | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP Mazembe | 3 | 6 | +3 |
| AS Maniema Union | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Aigles du Congo | 3 | 5 | +2 |
| AS Simba | 3 | 4 | +1 |
| Saint-Éloi Lupopo | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| CS Don Bosco | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| AS Vita Club | 3 | 3 | -2 |
| Celeste FC | 3 | 1 | -3 |
