Kinshasa, September 21st, 2026 (CPA): – Mazembe of Lubumbashi, in Haut-Katanga, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has announced on Monday the organisation of a 2026–2027 pre-season football tournament, from September 22nd to October 3rd, at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, featuring the eight member clubs of the National Football League (Linafoot), according to the club’s website.
“TP Mazembe will take part in the mini-tournament organised from September 22nd to October 3rd, 2026, a tournament that will allow the coaching staff to continue their work and assess the players in match situations,” it is read.
A tournament to make up due to the absence of the national league
Given that the start of the Linafoot league is still pending, this mini-tournament is a fine initiative by TP Mazembe, involved in the CAF Champions League, to find the best competitive rhythm. With good reason: having qualified for the second round of the Champions League, where they are set to face Club Africain of Tunisia, Mazembe have refused to accept the enforced inactivity to which all clubs in the DRC are subjected. This tournament will be played over eight match days, with two matches per day; the first match is scheduled to kick off at 1.00 pm local time, and the second match of the day at 3.00 pm. According to the source, the eight participating clubs have been divided into two groups of four (4), as follows: Group A: TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi, Saint Luc of Kananga, Blessing FC and FC Lubumbashi Spor from the copper-mining town. Group B: FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, CS Don Bosco, AC Manga Sport of Lubumbashi and CS Manika of Kalemie. Pre-season tournament fixtures: Tuesday, September 22nd: Lubumbashi Sport v Blessing FC at 1.00 pm and TP Mazembe v AS Saint Luc at 3.00 pm, Wednesday, September 23rd: CS Manika v CS Don Bosco and DC Saint Eloi Lupopo v AC Manga Sport, Friday, September 25th: AS Saint Luc v FC Lubumbashi Sport and Blessing FC v TP Mazembe, Saturday, September 26th: AC Manga Sport v CS Don Bosco and CS Manika v FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, Sunday, September 27th: Blessing FC v AS Saint Luc and TP Mazembe v FC Lubumbashi Sport, Monday, September 28th: AC Manga Sport v CS Manika and CS Don Bosco v Saint Eloi Lupopo, Thursday, October 1st: the semi-finals; and Saturday, October 3rd: the third-place play-off and the final. CPA/