Saint-Eloi Lupopo hand TP Mazembe another Linafoot defeat

Photo Credit: TP Mazembe

By their incredibly high standards, reigning Congolese champions TP Mazembe appear to be on the brink of a crisis in the Championship stage of DR Congo's Linafoot. The Ravens fell to their second defeat in three matches on Thursday in the latest edition of Lubumbashi's Lushois Derby, a 0-1 result against Les Cheminots of FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo to make DR Congo's second largest city Yellow and Blue.

Jonathan Mokonzi's low strike in the second half gave Lupopo their third win in four Championship stage matches, leaving them on the verge of joining Aigles du Congo and AS Maniema Union on twelve points at the top of the table.

An outstanding performance from Lupopo's Cameroonian international goalkeeper Simon Omossola clinched victory against Mazembe, champions of the last two completed editions of the Linafoot (2023-24 and 2021-22).

Aigles du Congo appeared set to be the sole leaders on Wednesday after leading for 88 minutes against CS Don Bosco. However, a dramatic comeback saw Don Bosco score twice in the late stages to secure a comeback 2-1 victory. 2024-25 CAF Champions League group stage participants AS Maniema Union took advantage to move level with Aigles courtesy of a long range shot from former Mazembe forward Jephté Kitambala.

Elsewhere, AS Vita Club were held to a 1-1 draw by AC Rangers and DC Motema Pembe edged FC Tanganyika 1-0.

Results

Wednesday

CS Don Bosco 2-1 Aigles du Congo

Thursday

FC Tanganyika 0-1 DC Motema Pembe

TP Mazembe 0-1 Saint-Éloi Lupopo

Sanga Balende 0-1 AS Maniema Union

AC Rangers 1-1 AS Vita Club

League Table

	GP	Points
Aigles du Congo	5	12
Maniema Union	5	12
Saint-Éloi Lupopo	4	9
CS Don Bosco	5	9
TP Mazembe	5	9
DC Motema Pembe	4	6
AC Rangers	5	5
AS Simba	3	4
AS Vita Club	3	4
FC Tanganyika	5	3
Sanga Balende	3	0
Anges Verts	3	0

• The champions and the runners-up qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League.

• The third place finishers qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup