TP Mazembe were held to a 1-1 draw by Club Africain on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Kamalondo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. Josué Kazema, the Ravens’ striker, had opened the scoring.
TP Mazembe were looking to put behind them a 2024-2025 season in which they missed out on qualification for the group stage. In front of their own fans, they had to settle for a draw against Club Africain on Saturday 17 October 2026 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
Josué Kazema broke the deadlock around the 38th minute with a glancing header from a cross by Patrick Mwaungulu, the Ravens’ attacking midfielder. The joy was short-lived: moments later, Club Africain equalised through Alla Kanté, the Tunisian attacking midfielder, who curled a shot into the top corner from a Philippe Kinzumbi pass, according to Tunisie Numérique.
Kinzumbi, a former Mazembe man
Club Africain’s provider is no stranger in Lubumbashi. Philippe Kinzumbi, the Tunisian side’s striker, has worn the colours of TP Mazembe in the past, Ouragan.cd recalls.
Club Africain managed to stay in the tie. Goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh stood out with decisive saves in the 27th and 85th minutes, according to Kawarji.
TP Mazembe also had a goal disallowed. In the 89th/90th minute, Dieu-Beni Ndongala, the Ravens’ striker, thought he had scored the winner, but the referee ruled it out for a handball by Cheikh Fofana in the build-up, according to Ouragan.cd.
A history and a run of form
In 2019, in their previous historic meeting in the group stage in Lubumbashi, TP Mazembe won 8-0, according to Transfermarkt.
In the previous round, Mazembe won both legs against Medeama (1-0 and 3-1), according to Afrik-Foot, while Club Africain knocked out Djoliba AC, the same source reports.
The draw gives Club Africain a precious away-goal advantage ahead of the second leg, according to Mosaique FM. TP Mazembe coach Slimane Raho will have to find the answers to turn the tie around away from home.
Next stop Radès
The second leg will be played on Sunday 25 October 2026 at the Stade Olympique de Radès in Tunis. The Ravens will therefore have to go and claim qualification on Club Africain’s turf, with the Tunisians holding the away-goal advantage.
The second leg will be decisive for both sides, who cancelled each other out at Kamalondo.