Kinshasa, May 25th, 2026 (CPA).- Les Aigles du Congo of Kinshasa and TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi played to a goalless draw on Monday at the Kurara Mpova Centre of the Congolese Football Association Federation (Fecofa) in N’sele, eastern Kinshasa, on Matchday 7 of the National Football League (Linafoot) play-offs. This encounter, marking the close of the first-leg phase of the play-offs, opposed Kinshasa’s Samurai (14 points), second in the standings, against the Ravens of Lubumbashi, leaders with 15 points at kick-off. Despite efforts from both sides, the two top teams neutralized each other in a scoreless draw (0-0) after 90 minutes, maintaining the status quo in the standings at the conclusion of the first-leg phase.
Previously, in their last confrontation at the Martyrs Stadium, Kinshasa’s Samurai had prevailed 3-1. During the final match of the 2024–2025 season at TP Mazembe Stadium, the Kinshasa side had held the Lubumbashi club to a 1-1 draw, becoming circuit champions for the first time.
Mazembe remain leaders with 16 points in seven matches
The three matches played Monday brought an end to the first-leg play-offs, though uncertainty remains over the return phase of the 2025–2026 sports season, officially scheduled to end annually on May 31st. At this stage, it remains difficult to know whether the competition can continue without an exemption granted to Linafoot by the Ministry in charge of Sports. Based solely on the first-leg standings completed Monday, the top three clubs currently eligible for interclub competitions for the 2026–2027 season are: TP Mazembe (16 points), Les Aigles du Congo (15 points), Don Bosco (13 points), followed by V.Club (12 points). The remainder of the standings is as follows: Maniema Union (9 points), Lupopo (7 points), Simba (4 points) and Céleste FC (1 point).
Don Bosco defeat Simba 2-0 and overtake V.Club for third place
CS Don Bosco (Photo: Archives)
At Kibasa Maliba Stadium in Lubumbashi, CS Don Bosco defeated Simba of Kolwezi 2-0 to close the first-leg phase of the play-offs. The two goals were scored in the first half by Elie Mpoyi (18th minute) and Mpululu Fortunat (42nd minute). This victory gave the Salesians of Lubumbashi 13 points in seven outings, while Simba remain on four points after one win, one draw and five defeats. As a consequence, Don Bosco overtook V.Club (12 points in seven matches), relegating them to fourth place behind the leading trio of TP Mazembe (16 points), Les Aigles du Congo (15 points), and Don Bosco itself.
Narrow victory for Maniema Union over Lupopo (1-0)
Maniema Union bounces back at Lupopo’s expense
At TP Mazembe Stadium, in Matchday 7 of the first-leg phase of the 31st Linafoot championship play-offs, AS Maniema Union of Kindu defeated Saint Eloi Lupopo of Lubumbashi 1-0. The only goal was scored by Mbala Titan in the 60th minute, ending a run of four consecutive defeats against Simba (1-4), Les Aigles du Congo (1-2), V.Club (0-1) and Mazembe (0-3). This third victory, following earlier wins over Don Bosco (2-0) and Céleste FC (1-0), allowed the Unionists to complete the first-leg phase with nine points out of a possible 21. For Lupopo, one of the strongest technical teams in these play-offs, the result marked a downward slide. The Lumpas had a final opportunity to equalize through a penalty, but Miché Mika missed the attempt in the dying moments of seven added minutes in the second half, sealing their second defeat of the play-offs. They thus finished the first-leg phase with seven points after seven matches played.