A couple of DR Congo's top clubs are well on their way to qualification for the championship stage of the top flight Linafoot as the league advances past the halfway point of the initial stage. Six places are up for grabs in each group and reigning champions TP Mazembe are among those set to advance.
The Ravens of Mazembe did enough to secure a 1-0 victory over local rivals CS Don Bosco in Lubumbashi on Wednesday. Giant TPM goalkeeper Aliou Badara Faty converted a penalty kick during the CAF Champions League group stage and showed his spot kick prowess again, finishing from twelve yards for the only goal of the match after compatriot Jean Diouf's cross was handled.
The famous club, who endured a disappointing Champions League campaign that saw them finish bottom of their group, have now won ten consecutive matches in Linafoot play. Their closest competition in Group A, based around the Eastern half of the country, is Saint-Éloi Lupopo who are four points back but also in a secure position to qualify for the final stage.
On Thursday in Group B, DC Motema Pembe gave their supporters something to celebrate with a 4-1 victory over AC Kuya. Talented young striker Chadrack Bingi scored a hat-trick for Les Immaculés as the 12-time league champions attempt to right the ship after a nightmare start to the season that saw DCMP president Paul Kasembele express his anger in public comments.
DCMP move up to 7th in the group with the result, leaving them one point back of Renaissance du Congo for the final playoff spot. CAF Champions League group stage participants AS Maniema Union are in a strong position at the top of Group B which consists of teams around the region of Kinshasa and the western half of the country.
Every club still has at least ten matches remaining with plenty of time to grapple for a position to reach the playoff stage rather than the relegation stage.
League Table
Group A
GP | Points | |
TP Mazembe | 13 | 34 |
Saint-Éloi Lupopo | 12 | 30 |
Tanganyika | 12 | 24 |
Sanga Balende | 12 | 21 |
AS Simba | 13 | 19 |
Groupe Bazano | 12 | 17 |
CS Don Bosco | 13 | 15 |
Tshinkunku | 12 | 12 |
AS Malole | 12 | 12 |
Lubumbashi Sport | 13 | 10 |
Blessing FC | 12 | 8 |
US Panda | 12 | 4 |
Group B
GP | Points | |
AS Maniema Union | 11 | 26 |
Aigles du Congo | 13 | 22 |
AS Vita Club | 12 | 22 |
AC Rangers | 13 | 21 |
Dauphins Noirs | 12 | 19 |
Renaissance | 14 | 17 |
DC Motema Pembe | 14 | 16 |
Anges Vertes | 13 | 15 |
AC Kuya | 14 | 15 |
Céleste FC | 13 | 14 |
Bukavu Dawa | 11 | 13 |
Etoile de Kivu | 11 | 13 |
New Jack | 13 | 10 |
The top six finishers in each group qualify to the playoff stage.
The bottom half of the table qualifies for the relegation stage.
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