TP Mazembe, Lupopo in blame-game over derby violence

A bitter blame-game has ensued between TP Mazembe and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo following the violence that flared up during their league match in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Linafoot (a.k.a. Illicocash Ligue 1) match 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 at TP Mazembe Stadium.

#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

Now both clubs have accused each other of being behind the ugly scenes.

In a statement issued on Monday through secretary general Frederic Kinkumba, Mazembe accused their rivals’ supporters of inciting the violence.

TP Mazembe accuse FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo

“TP Mazembe, deeply disgraced, brings to the attention of national and international public opinion, national and continental sporting bodies, and all football stakeholders, the unprecedentedly serious events that occurred during the derby against FC Lupopo, played in its stadium, the only stadium in the DRC currently approved by FIFA and CAF for international competitions,” reads the statement in part.

“From the opening minutes of the match, FC Lupopo supporters engaged in acts of blatant violence. Projectiles were repeatedly thrown from their stands towards the linesman and TP Mazembe players, forcing the referee to interrupt the game several times…this occurred after Lupopo supporters invaded the pitch. Acts of violence and vandalism were observed, endangering players, officials and supporters present in the stadium.”

FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo hits back

In a reaction, Lupopo also hit back by releasing their own strong-worded statement chronicling the sequence of events leading up to the violence including posting videos of Mazembe supporters seemingly urinating on the goal posts while others sprinkled some liquid substances.

“It is crucial to restore truth in the face of the circulating images. This video unambiguously shows TP Mazembe supporters ripping the seats from their own stadium to use bullets and weapons against St Eloi Lupopo FC supporters. The facts are there, don’t let misinformation mask the reality of the incidents. Sad!,” reads Lupopo’s statement.

The Linafoot Ligue 1 defending champions further accused their rivals, the Ravens, of turning to violence while afraid of a looming humiliating heavy defeat.

“Lupopo strongly condemns these premeditated acts of violence,” reads the statement.

“It is clear that the opposing side, fearing sporting humiliation, chose the path of terror. The hate messages disseminated on social media by certain TP Mazembe officials and players before the match—as evidenced by viral voice and video recordings—left no doubt about their malicious intentions to harm their opponents and were among the triggers of this odious and shameful, yet avoidable, disturbance.”

During the chaos, seats uprooted from the terraces were placed on the pitch following the stone-throwing orgy which started during the half-time break with the titans deadlocked at 0-0. The game did not resume.

Ahead of the Lubumbashi derby, 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.

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.