CAF Champions League: Late Kimputu penalty hands Lupopo historic win over MC Alger

A CAF Champions League Group C encounter saw Saint Eloi Lupopo pip MC Alger 1–0 at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi. The club from DR Congo, for the first time in history, won a Champions League group stage game thanks to a late penalty kick from Michael Kimputu.

The tie kicked off with high intensity and reckless fouls as Nigerian match official Joseph Odey Ogabor handed out three yellow cards in the opening 15 minutes alone.

MC Alger struggled in the first interval as they opted to defend from the get-go. The home side failed to capitalize on the weakness of the visitors as chances were limited. Ramos Kashala’s left-footed strike from range sailed over the bar for Lupopo’s first attempt on goal. MC Alger goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz saved an awkwardly bouncing free kick before the interval.

Following the recess, MC Alger looked better as they took the initiative to play on the counterattack. Lupopo custodian Simon Omossola rushed from his goal to head out a long ball intended for MC Alger striker Soufiane Bayazid at the hour mark. The Algerian striker yet again came close to opening the scoring, but he was denied by a superb reflex save from the Cameroonian international goalkeeper.

As the minutes went by, MC Alger changed their plan and shifted to defending as the home side struggled to create chances. Kashala was denied by Guendouz ten minutes before time. In second-half stoppage time, substitute Henoc Molia’s effort was blocked by Ayoub Abdellaoui but the match official penalized him for a trip. Kimputu converted the resulting spot kick to hand Lupopo a massive win in Group C.

A +90’ penalty decides it. FC Saint Éloi Lupopo secure a 1-0 home win over MC Alger. ⏱️🔥#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Aeb5kJpIZZ

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) January 25, 2026

Saint Eloi Lupopo are now third in the group with four points, one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal of Sudan. They will face MC Alger in matchday four in Algiers on February 1. The Algerian champions are bottom with a single point.

CAF Champions League Group C Table