DRC: Mazembe know what derby represents – Ndiaye

TP Mazembe coach Lamine Ndiaye has explained what Sunday’s clash against FC Saint Éloi Lupopo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) means to their players.

Ahead of the game, Ndiaye stressed the need for winning enough league games to secure a place in a CAF inter club competition.

The coach said he was confident that his players will rise to the occasion in the Lubumbashi derby as most of them are experienced enough to handle derby pressure.

“Our squad is used to these kinds of matches. Many have already played in the Champions League, and some even come from the other side (Lupopo). They know what a derby represents and they will be determined to do well and win,” Ndiaye said as per Footrdc.

The Senegalese urged his players to learn from their experience of last season when the Ravens finished in fifth place on the Ligue 1 log table to miss out on the inter CAF club competitions.

Why Ndiaye trusts Mazembe players to rise to occasion

“The past is the past. We use it to improve in the present. What matters is Sunday’s match. There are points to be won, especially knowing that only four clubs per group will advance to the playoffs. We need to accumulate as many points as possible to secure our place,” Ndiaye said.

The Linafoot Ligue 1 rivals will go into the game after making a winning start to the Linafoot Ligue 1. The Ravens defeated Cercle Sportif Manika 3-1 on October 22 before the rookies lost 1-0 to Ndiaye’s side on October 29 2025.

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