Mwaungulu free-kick seals TP Mazembe win in Linafoot RDC

In-form Malawian attacker Patrick Mwaungulu’s late free-kick handed visiting TP Mazembe a 1-0 victory over AS Maniema Union in the Linafoot at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on Sunday.

With the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Linafoot play-off match seemingly heading to a goalless draw, Mwaungulu scored with a delightful 83rd-minute free-kick to secure the visitors maximum points.

The Malawian’s back-to-back goals for TP Mazembe helped the Ravens to bounce back from last week’s 2-1 loss to JSK, handing AS Maniema Union their first defeat in four matches of the playoffs.

Lamine Ndiaye’s side now sit in fourth place with nine points, level with AS Maniema, after round four of the play-offs.

The ex-FCB Nyasa Big Bullets star has been in fine form, scoring two weeks ago on loan at CS Don Bosco in the 2-1 loss to the Lubumbashi giants, before adding his name to the scoresheet last week when he was recalled by TP Mazembe.

With his loan spell over, Lamine Ndiaye recalled the Malawian to the Moise Katumbi-owned team alongside compatriot Lanjesi Nkhoma.

Saturday’s lone match saw early leaders Aigles du Congo defeat last-placed side Anges Verts 4-1 (highlights below). Aigles remain perfect after four matches, with Saturday’s result a bonus, following taking the ultimate scalp in Congolese football in a 3-1 victory over Mazembe last Wednesday.

In the rest of Sunday’s play-off matches, CS Don Bosco beat AC Rangers 2-0, thanks to Elie Kitobo’s 59th-minute strike before Mpululu Kiazayamo made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute.

The second win in three games took CS Don Bosco’s tally in the play-offs to six points after they defeated AS Simba of Kolwezi 1-0 and lost to TP Mazembe.  AC Rangers’ next match is against AF Anges Verts on Wednesday, while CS Don Bosco host FC Aigles du Congo.

Elsewhere, FC Tanganyika edged SM Sanga Balende 1-0 (highlights below).

The play-offs involve Group A teams, namely Mazembe, FC St Eloi Lupopo, SM Sanga Balende, AS Simba, FC Tanganyika and CS Don Bosco. The other participants are from Group B, comprising leaders AS Maniema Union, FC Les Aigles Du Congo, FC Rangers, AS VClub, AF Anges.

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