TP Mazembe is a name that is well known to anybody who follows African football and the club from the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to find success in both men's and women's football. At the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League the women will look to seize their opportunity in the spotlight in Group A on their second appearance at the competition. After elimination at the group stage in the 2022 edition, the goal is to progress and reach the knockout stages for the giants based in Lubumbashi.
How did TP Mazembe qualify?
The Ravens reached this stage after winning the qualifying competition for Central Africa's UNIFFAC region where they finished top of the group in the four-team tournament. Dominant victories in their first two matches set up a tense clash against Cameroon's Lekié Football Filles where they needed to avoid defeat. After going down a goal early in the second half, Esther Dikisha equalized to give Mazembe a 1-1 draw and the result they needed to qualify.
Video: Highlights of TP Mazembe's draw with Lekié FF to clinch qualification
A brief history filled with success
Founded in 2020, TP Mazembe won their first trophy within a few months by seizing the provincial championship in the province of Haut-Katanga. Less than two years after their founding, the Ravens conquered the national domestic cup to set up their first qualification for the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League where they were eliminated from Group B after finishing third behind South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and Nigerian club Bayelsa Queens. Mazembe have won the last three domestic league titles in DR Congo and now the next step is to make a strong impression on the continental stage.
Head Coach: Lamia Boumehdi
The Moroccan is one of the female head coaches in the competition and now her real test begins since being appointed in March 2023. Boumedhi previously represented her nation at the 2000 African Women's Championship and also coached the Morocco under-20 women's national team. Mazembe's tactician stated in an interview that after failing to qualify for the 2023 CAF Women's Champions League, her team prepared for the difficult opponents in 2024 by playing exhibition matches against men's teams. Boumedhi referenced the history of Mazembe as a football powerhouse when declaring that the Congolese club will go for the title when the CAFWCL kicks off in Morocco.
Key Player: Esther Dikisha
Like its male department, TP Mazembe is truly a Pan-African club represented by players from all across the continent who compete for their national teams. However the star power may come Congolese contingent like Esther Dikisha who was the top scorer in the UNIFFAC qualifying competition with four goals in three matches. Dikisha and countrywoman Merveille Kanjinga are both names to watch and Ivorian striker Laogali Kreto is a physically imposing presence in the opposition penalty area.
Schedule
Group A
November 9: v. UWC Ladies (RSA)
November 12: v. AS FAR (MAR)
November 15: Aigles de la Médina (SEN)
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