Linafoot: Saint-Eloi Lupopo defeats TP Mazembe in Lushois Derby

The Stade Kibassa Maliba played host to a raucous edition of DR Congo’s Lushois Derby on Sunday in Lubumbashi with FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo emerging victorious in a 2-1 victory over TP Mazembe from the Congolese top flight Linafoot (a.k.a. Illicocash Ligue 1).

Lupopo, who shocked South African giants Orlando Pirates to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage via a penalty shootout, now have wins from each of their two matches to begin the 2025-26 Linafoot campaign.

It was a dramatic comeback victory for Les Cheminots with Cameroonian forward Ravel Djoumekou applying the final touch to a cross from right back Mukoko Amale. The match winner came eight minutes after Jonathan Mukonzi cancelled out a brilliant free kick from Mazembe’s Lise Mtumba early in the second half.

In the Lubumbashi-based group, AS Malole are the leaders with three wins from three matches while Lupopo and AS Simba each have two wins from their two matches. After winning their opening match, Mazembe now have three points from two matches.

In the Kinshasa-based group, AS Maniema Union have two scoreless draws now after a 0-0 result against group leaders AS Vita Club. VClub lead the group with ten points from their four matches.

Linafoot Results: Sunday

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