Andrew Olsson
February 23, 2026Linafoot Update: End of main phase approaches; DCMP hit with major sanctions
TP Mazembe defeated AS Simba over the weekend. Photo: TP Mazembe
Linafoot Update: End of main phase approaches; DCMP hit with major sanctions
Many of the usual suspects remain in strong position to qualify for the championship phase of DR Congo’s top flight Linafoot (a.k.a Illicocash Ligue 1) as the first phase of the league approaches its conclusion.
The top four clubs from each group will qualify for an 8-team tournament to determine the league champion as well as the DRC’s participants in next season’s CAF interclub competitions.
Group B: Lubumbashi
In Group B based in the region of Lubumbashi, TP Mazembe and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo are dominating the competition. Mazembe extended their lead at the top of the group to seven points with a 3-0 victory over Kolwezi club AS Simba.
French-Algerian coach Slimane Raho oversaw his first home victory since taking the reins from Lamine N’Diaye at the end of January.
In a dominating performance for the Ravens, Josué Kazema scored twice in the opening twenty minutes to boost his season total to eight goals this season. Dieubeni Ndongala added one more goal in second half stoppage time for the Lubumashi powerhouse, who are on a mission for their 21st Linafoot title after a miserable 2024-25 campaign.
Despite their formidable lead, Mazembe do still have rivals FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo to contend with for top spot. Les Cheminots returned to domestic duties on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over FC Tanganyika after elimination from the CAF Champions League group stage.
Dramane Kambou and Ramos Kashala Wanet scored in the first half to lift their side to victory after a month off to tend to their continental duties. Seven points behind Mazembe in the race for first place, Lupopo have three games in hand which leaves them very much in contention to overtake their rivals.
Group A: Kinshasa
Reigning champions Les Aigles du Congo remain at the top of Group A based around the capital of Kinshasa. Many clubs, especially those not involved in CAF club competition, were involved in the Coupe du Congo over the weekend and Les Aigles were among the winners.
In the Linafoot, AS Maniema Union returned from a successful CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 3-2 victory over Étoile de Kivu in their return to domestic league action.
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Burkina Faso international Clement Pitroipa scored twice in the final half hour, including the match winner deep into second half stoppage time, to help his team return to Linafoot action with a victory.
Les Verts et Noirs also have the distinction of being the only DRC club remaining in CAF competition after qualifying for the Confederation Cup quarterfinals following last weekend’s victory over Kenyan club Nairobi United.
Les Aigles du Congo lead the group by six points over closest contenders AS Vita Club, while Dauphins Noirs and Maniema Union complete the top-4. Only two points separate Maniema Union from the clubs outside the qualification places, leaving work to be done to avoid an embarrassing failure to advance to the championship stage.
Also of note in Group B is the misfortune of 12-time Linafoot champions Daring Club Motema Pembe. Deducted 24 points by the league and also sanctioned by FIFA due to financial penalties, relegation for the club appears to be a guarantee.
According to prominent Congolese outlet FootDRC, the club’s dedicated supporters are organizing a campaign to save the club through donations. However, with only about $2,000 raised towards a goal of $700,000 to help the club, it appears that a dark period in the club’s history will continue.
Linafoot Table: Group A (Lubumbashi)
Group B: Kinshasa
