Linafoot Playoffs: Saint-Éloi Lupopo and reigning champions Les Aigles play to draw

The championship playoffs from DR Congo’s Linafoot (a.k.a. Illicocash Ligue 1) kicked off on Thursday with top contenders FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo and FC Les Aigles du Congo playing to a 1-1 draw in the opening match.

Both goals arrived early in the match, with Kikwama Mujinga converting a penalty kick for defending champions Les Aigles in the 14th minute. Lumande Carel Twite pounced on a moment of indecision from the defense to equalize for Lupopo in the 22nd minute.

Defensive errors characterized the opening match from the playoffs. Awful play in the back led to the opening goal in favor of the reigning champions after Tonny Talasi stole the ball from Lupopo defender John Mayanga Nekadio just outside the penalty area. In a desperate attempt to atone for his error, Nekadio tripped up Talasi and it was an easy decision for the referee to point to the spot.

Mujinga rolled his spot kick just beyond the reach of diving Lupopo goalkeeper Simon Omossola to put Les samouraïs ahead at the Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi.

Lupopo, backed by strong support against their opponents from Kinshasa, were able to fight back. The defense of Les Aigles failed to clear a ball into their penalty area and Twite pounced, doing just enough to finish and level the match.

Les Cheminots, based in Lubumbashi, were clearly the more disappointed team when the final whistle arrived. The referee needed the presence of police to form protection after angry members of the Lupopo coaching staff attempted to confront the official.

Another clash between legendary clubs from the Lubumbashi and the capital of Kinshasa will take place in the next playoff match. Lubumbashi’s TP Mazembe will host AS Vita Club at the Stade TP Mazembe on Friday.

 

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Linafoot Playoff Table