Kinshasa, April 9th, 2025 (CPA)-. TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi, in Haut-Katanga, in the south-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), outclassed Blessing of Kolwezi, in Lualaba, by 4-0 on Tuesday at the Mazembe stadium in Lubumbashi, on match day 21st in group A of the 30th edition of the National Football League (LINAFOOT) championship. After a fruitless first half on both sides, it was after the break that the Lush Crows unleashed their full might to put Blessing to the sword, with Oussein Badamisi (58th) heading over, Faveurdi Bongeli (72nd and 78th) scoring twice and Ernest Luzolo (75th) scoring twice.
Blessing defeat benefits CS Don Bosco
CS Don Bosco of Lubumbashi (Archives’ Ph.)
With this victory, their 17th in 21 league outings, TP Mazembe moved level on 53 points with their arch-rivals Saint Eloi Lupopo (22 matches). With the Lumpas having played all their games in the second leg, the Engleberters, who have lost one, have regained the lead in Group A, with the possibility of improving on it. However, the biggest beneficiaries of Mazembe’s success and Blessing’s debacle were CS Don Bosco of Lubumbashi, who are in 6th place with 30 points from 22 outings. And with good reason, Blessing would have been a threat to Les Salesiens of Lubumbashi who, without playing, were involved from afar. In 7thplace with 28 points from 21 outings, Blessing would have had 31 after 22 matches if they had beaten Mazembe on Tuesday. But that was not to be, and CS Don Bosco can only smile under their breath at having qualified for the play-offs as the 6th and very last club from Group A to do so. As a result, although Mazembe still have a game in hand, the hexagonal configuration of the group is as follows: TP Mazembe 53 points (21 matches); Saint Eloi Lupopo 56 pts (22 matches); FC Tanganyika 36 pts (22 matches), AS Silba 36 pts (22 matches), Sanga Balende of Mbuji-Mayi 34 pts (22 matches) and Don Bosco of Lubumbashi 30 pts (22 matches). The other 6 teams condemned to the play-offs are Blessing of Kolwezi, AS Malole of Kananga, Lubumbashi Sport, JSG Bazano of Lubumbashi, US Tshinkunku of Kananga and US Panda B52 of Likasi. ACP/