Linafoot: Violence mars Lushois Derby between TP Mazembe and Lupopo

Violence flared up during a top flight league match from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Linafoot (a.k.a. Illicocash Ligue 1) between TP Mazembe and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo on Sunday.

Supporters of the Lubumbashi rivals were engaged in fist fights, while some threw seats uprooted from the terraces and stones creating pandemonium which spread onto the pitch prompting riot police to step and try to quell the chaos.

Pan-Africa Football has seen a pile of the seats uprooted from the terraces placed on the pitch following the stone-throwing orgy which started with the two teams deadlocked at 0-0 in the second half.

#Ligue1 #DerbyLushois
Reprise incertaine à Kamalondo.
Des sièges des tribunes latérale et d’honneur A ont été saccagés par certains supporters de Lupopo. La police a dû intervenir avec des gaz lacrymogènes, provoquant une grande confusion et des blessés parmi les spectateurs. pic.twitter.com/YHr7hyrQpV

— TP Mazembe (@TPMazembe) March 8, 2026

The rivals dispute what caused Lushois Derby violence

Commenting on the incident via their official Facebook page, the Ravens claimed it was their rivals’ fans who sparked the violence after some of them invaded the pitch to perform some practices linked to juju.

In the opposite camp, Lupopo accused Mazembe supporters of overpowering the police and creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors’ players and coaching panel members.

“Faced with tension that became uncontrollable, the players, technical staff and officials of FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo were forced to leave the venue in a hurry with the team bus empty and parked. The club members fled for their safety. A dark image of Congolese football,” reads part of the statement.

Le grand derby lushois de ce dimanche a viré au cauchemar pour les Cheminots. Face à une tension devenue incontrôlable, les joueurs, le staff technique et les officiels du FC St Eloi Lupopo ont été contraints de quitter l’enceinte en toute hâte, dans une débandade totale. Signe… pic.twitter.com/SaZGfEHowY

— FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (@fcsteloilupopo) March 8, 2026

How Mazembe and Lupopo lined up in the Linafoot clash

Ahead of the game at TP Mazembe Stadium, the hosts made it clear that they were determined to atone for the 2-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Linafoot Ligue 1 city rivals on November 2, 2025.

Mazembe coach Slimane Raho was fully aware of the magnitude of the game in the context of the Linafoot Ligue 1 race.

Little wonder, he fielded his strongest possible starting XI with the in-form Lanjesi Nkhoma and his Malawian counterpart Patrick Mwaungulu in attack. On the other hand, Lupopo mentor Guy Bukasa featured the likes of Kashala Wanet and Dramane Kambou.

It remains unclear if the game will be replayed. Lupopo are positioned number two in stream A of the league, three points ahead of the Ravens in third place.