Himoonde: ‘TP Mazembe’s struggles disappointing’

Photo Credit: TP Mazembe FC media

Zambian football legend Hichani Himoonde has bemoaned the fall from grace of his former club, TP Mazembe.

The former Chipolopolo centre-back cited the failure of the Congolese giants to qualify for the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League as a big disappointment.

“It’s really disappointing to see one of the big clubs in African football miss out on such tournaments,” Himoonde told Fulltime Zambia website.

“I think it all comes down to management, and also the conflicts in the country could be part of the reason for their poor results.”

The five-time CAF Champions League winners finished in fourth place of the Linafoot National Championship play-offs, partly because they were docked six points for featuring an ineligible player, Patrick Mwaungulu.

AS Maniema Union had lodged a complaint that the Malawian attacker was ineligible to play against them on May 4 2025 and against FC Les Aigles du Congo on April 30 2025.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner hopes that the Ravens would bounce back to glory next season.

“Hopefully, they bounce back this coming season and earn a spot in next year’s CAF competitions. They need to reinforce the team with quality players. I know they can rebuild — and they will bounce back even stronger,” Himoonde added.

Himoonde had a successful career at Mazembe before he left to sign for Sundowns in 2014. He left before he could kick the ball in the colours of the Brazilians because they had then exhausted the quota of their foreign players.