CAF CL: Mazembe share spoils with MC Alger
At the start of the new 2024-2025 CAF Champions League campaign, MC Alger managed to hold TP Mazembe to a nil-all draw on Tuesday at the Stade TP Mazembe, in Kinshasa (DRC). A good result given the context of the match, since the Algerians were quite dominated by the Ravens.
In front of their home crowd, TP Mazembe dominated without converting. It was partly due to significant technical mistakes. All what was needed for the scores to open was speed and decision-making by Gloire Mujaya just before the half-hour mark, but the latter couldn’t.
On a bad clearance from the Algerian defense, the 22-year-old winger recovered the rebound in the center but hesitated to serve Jean Louis Diouf, who was unmarked at minute 28.
Intent on defending, MC Alger had a few rare but dangerous moments, such as a missile from Andy Delort on a distant free kick, but goalkeeper Alioune Badara Faty who pushed away.
The game was played at an intense pace dictated by TPM, which increased pressure at the end of the match. As a result, the Algerian camp panicked. In the 78th minute of play, it took a reflex save from Abdelatif Ramdane to save Mouloudia. The 23-year-old goalkeeper blocked a shot in the area, near his right post, thus allowing his team to preserve a point.
As a result of the game, MC Alger occupy the third positions in Group A. Young Africans are stuck at the bottom after their home defeat against Al Hilal Club of Florent Ibenge, as they registered a 0-2 win away in Tanzania. On the second day of the groups, MCA will host YANGA, while TPM will travel to face Sudanese team of Al Hilal Club.
