Kinshasa, June 10th, 2025 (CPA) – Motema Pembe thrashed Rangers of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 4-0 on Tuesday at the Martyrs stadium in the 12th play-off round of the National League of Football (Linafoot) championship. At half-time, the game was so tight that the referee sent the two sides back to the dressing room level at 0-0. But the resumption of the match was a one-way street for DC Motema Pembe, who had their opponents, AC Rangers, cornered and on the defensive. Marzouk Diakana (68th and 74th) was the first to sink the Kinshasa-based academicians, slamming home a brace. The immaculate team’s machine was firing on all cylinders and Barcey Bakadi (70th) scored the third goal for the Imanians of Kinshasa, who finally came full circle with a fourth and final goal from Giresse Mosengo (76th).
All in all, an abundant harvest of 4-0 for the Falcons, who had already beaten the same AC Rangers team 3-2 on the first day of the play-offs. Overall on Tuesday evening, DC Motema Pembe were credited with 25 points from 12 outings, on a par with AS Maniema Union and TP Mazembe. AC Rangers were content with 8 points after an 8-1 win over AF Anges Verts.
Lupopo beat Tanganyika 1-0 in the play-offs
Lupopo of Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), beat Tanganyika of Kaliémie in the east of the country on Tuesday at the Kibassa Maliba stadium in Lubumbashi in the 12th round of play-offs in the 30th edition of the national football league (Linafoot). The only goal for Les Cheminots came from Patou Kabangu’s stinging ball, which Horso Mwaku headed in to open the scoring (77′). The win moved Lupopo provisionally to the top of the table with 27 points from 12 outings, while Tanganyika de Kaliémie are in 7th place with 15 points from 12 matches played. In the first match of the day, Simba of Kolwezi, capital of Lualaba in the south-east of the country, beat Sa Majesté Sanga Balende of Mbuji-Mayi by 1-0 at the same Kibassa Maliba stadium. The kamikaze goal was scored by Nsona (45+3). With this victory, AS Simba now have 13 points from 12 matches, while Sa Majesté Sanga Balende remain 11th with 4 points.
Maniema Union beat Anges Verts 5-0 in play-offs
Maniema Union of Kindu, Maniema, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thrashed Anges Verts of Kinshasa, the country’s capital, 5-0 on Tuesday at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, on the 12th day of the play-offs in the National League of Football (Linafoot) championship. Despite the scoreline, the match had two very different faces, reflected in the number of goals scored in each half. Initially, the first forty-five minutes proved to be a tight affair for both sides, despite a number of unsuccessful attacking opportunities created by both sides, with the only highlight being AS Maniema Union’s late opener from Burkina Faso’s Aboubacar Traoré (43′). At half-time, the score was 1-0 in favor of Maniema Union de Kindu.
Goals galore after the break
If the first half was not rich in high-profile actions, the second half was marked by the positive imprint of Maniema Union, who dynamited and broke the defensive deadlock of the Green Angels, who drank the chalice to the dregs after Maniema Union scored 4 more goals, all in the last 45 minutes.
Christopher Pindi (67′), a transfer from MK in Kinshasa, doubled the lead for Maniema Union, who were 2-0 up. Paty Ilunga Tshibanda (74th), Lucien Donat Joël Egala (76th) and Ozome Mukeni Chadoma (89th) then joined the party and finally knocked out Anges Verts, who were unable to withstand the fury of Maniema Union, who scored a manita. With today’s winning, AS Maniema Union’s capital was increased to 25 points after 12 matches. AF Anges Verts are still stuck in 12th and last place in the play-offs, with 2 points from 12 outings. CPA/