Fallen African giants Mazembe to face South African rookies Royal

Fallen African giants Mazembe to face South African rookies Royal

Issama Mpeko (R) is a stalwart in the defence of CAF Confederation Cup contenders TP Mazembe
Issama Mpeko (R) is a stalwart in the defence of CAF Confederation Cup contenders TP Mazembe. Photo: JAVIER SORIANO / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!

Former Club World Cup runners-up TP Mazembe will take a first step toward becoming African club giants again when they face South African side Royal AM during November.

The teams, who have vastly different international experience, were paired when the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs draw was made in Cairo on Tuesday.

Based in the southern Congolese city of Lubumbashi, Mazembe have been competing in Africa since 1967, winning 11 titles, including the marquee CAF Champions League five times.

Royal were promoted to the South African top flight only last year and are making their first appearance in a continental competition.

Without a CAF title since 2016, Mazembe started this season in the Champions League, but were relegated to the Confederation Cup after a shock loss to Ugandan side Vipers last weekend.

Read also

African players in Europe: Superstars Salah, Mane among goals

The Congolese reacted by firing French coach Franck Dumas and putting former Mazembe star Pamphile Mihayo in charge a third time.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Mihayo aims to win the Confederation Cup a third time after successes in 2016 and 2017 before Moroccan clubs became dominant, winning four finals and finishing runners-up in the other.

Rookies Royal upset Zesco United of Zambia in the second Confederation Cup qualifying round after a routine victory over Mbabane Highlanders of Eswatini.

All three Royal goals in Africa came from veterans with Ruzaigh Gamildien, 33, scoring twice and Mozambican Elias 'Domingues' Pelembe, 38, once.

Nigerians to face Libyans

To score against Mazembe, who lost to Inter Milan in the 2010 Club World Cup final, they must pierce a defence likely to include DR Congo international Issama Mpeko, 33.

Read also

Club Africain of Tunisia score seven in CAF Cup rout

The other South African hopefuls were paired with north African clubs -- Marumo Gallants meet Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya while Cape Town City face USM Alger of Algeria.

Nigerian contenders Rivers United and Plateau United, both Champions League losers in the final qualifying round, drew Libyan opponents.

Rivers play Al Nasr and Plateau come up against Al Akhdar in the first legs on November 2, with the return matches seven days later.

Title-holders Renaissance Berkane of Morocco continue a quest for a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title against US Monastir of Tunisia.

Draw

Rail Kadiogo (BUR) or V Club (COD) v St Eloi Lupopo (COD)

Royal Leopard (ESW) v Real Bamako (MLI)

TP Mazembe (COD) v Royal AM (RSA)

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Future (EGY)

ASEC Mimosas (CIV) v SC Gagnoa (CIV)

Djoliba (MLI) v FAR Rabat (MAR)

Al Ahly Tripoli (LBA) v Marumo Gallants (RSA)

ASKO Kara (TOG) v CS Sfaxien (TUN)

Read also

Eight-goal Sundowns just miss equalling their African record

Young Africans (TAN) v Club Africain (TUN)

Flambeau Centre (BDI) v DC Motema Pembe (COD)

Rivers Utd (NGR) v Al Nasr (LBA)

US Monastir (TUN) v Renaissance Berkane (MAR, holders)

Cape Town City (RSA) v USM Alger (ALG)

Nigelec (NIG) v Pyramids (EGY)

La Passe (SEY) v Diables Noirs (CGO)

Plateau Utd (NGR) v Al Akhdar (LBA)

First legs: Nov 2, second legs: Nov 9

Note: The 16 winners qualify for group stage from Feb 12

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.