CAFCL: Lupopo enlist Mazembe’s help for Sundowns & co

The Democratic Republic of the Congo heavyweights TP Mazembe have shelved their domestic rivalry with Saint-Eloi Lupopo for the latter’s CAF Champions League cause.

The Linafoot Ligue 1 champions, fresh from their giant-killing antics that bundled the fancied Orlando Pirates out of the continental league, will return to South Africa on Saturday.

This time around, Guy Bukasa’s men are on a mission to conquer Mamelodi Sundowns. The clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium will open the Group C assignments for the Champions League.

The Betway Premiership side will travel to the Congo for the reverse fixture in February to face Lupopo. But in between, Miguel Cardoso’s charges must face Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan and Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger from Algeria.

However, ahead of these high-profile matches, Lupopo faced a headache with limited home venues in Lubumbashi. Now, Mazembe have proved to be the unlikely Samaritan to their sworn rivals by offering TPM Stadium to the cross town rivals.

In a statement, the Ravens said they have made the offer with the blessings of their chairperson Moïse Katumbi.

Mazembe chairperson Katumbo explains gesture to Lupopo

“For Moïse Katumbi, sport must remain an instrument of unity and cohesion, never a breeding ground for division or hatred. The Kamalondo Stadium, the fruit of a vision and personal effort, was built according to CAF and FIFA international standards,” reads the statement.

“It remains a symbol of Congolese pride and excellence. In this spirit, the Chairman hopes that this infrastructure, born from his passion for football and his love for Congo, will serve all Congolese sports stakeholders, without hatred, club distinctions, or racial bias.

“By accepting the request from their neighboring club, Moïse Katumbi reaffirms his unwavering commitment to promoting Congolese football and his desire to establish the Democratic Republic of Congo as a true sporting powerhouse on the African continent.”

Mazembe’s gesture, coming weeks after their fan was stoned to death at the very same stadium during a derby against Lupopo recently, shows the unifying power of football.

The Ravens know that Lupopo are flying Congo’s flag on the continent. In October, Mazembe fans also joined forces with Ligue 1 counterparts AS Simba when they hosted Kaizer Chiefs in a CAF Confederation Cup match that ended goalless.

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