Linafoot: TP Mazembe begin playoffs with win over Don Bosco

TP Mazembe started DR Congo's top flight Linafoot playoffs with a slender 2-1 home win over Don Bosco in Lubumbashi on Wednesday afternoon.

Defender Dieu Ndongala and striker Louis Autchanga scored in the second half for hosts Mazembe before Don Bosco pulled one back through Patrick Mwaungulu.

Mazembe coach Lamine Ndiaye featured a strong line-up comprising stars such as goalkeeper Aliou Faty and attacker Basile Konga. The visitors, too, paraded the likes of Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma in attack. The two Malawians are on loan at Don Bosco from Moise Katumbi’s Mazembe side.

When play resumed, it was clear that this would be a close contest as the action swung from one end to the other. Little wonder, the two teams could not be separated going into the break.

Eventually, the game opened up in the second half, even more when Ndiaye made substitutions, introducing the likes of Ndongala. The impact was visible as the 22-year-old defender scored in the 63rd minute before Autchanga connected Ousseini Badamassi’s left-flank cross into the net in the 78th minute.

Don Bosco pushed for a face-saver and were rewarded with Mwaungulu beating goalkeeper Faty with a powerful strike.

The second game for TP Mazembe will be against DC Motema Pembe in Kinshasa on April 27 at the Stade des Martyrs. This will be followed by the Lushois derby between TP Mazembe and FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo scheduled for the Stade Mazembe on May 8, 2025.

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 pool B, comprising leaders AS Maniema Union, FC Les Aigles Du Congo, FC Rangers, AS VClub, AF Anges Verts, and DCMP.