African Football League: supporters angry with the Congolese government
In a situation which arouses indignation among supporters, TP Mazembe will not be able to play its African Football League matches in Kamalondo. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has indeed accepted the Congolese club’s request to move its home matches to the Benjamin Mkapa stadium in Dar es Salaam. This decision follows the blocking in Kinshasa of broadcast equipment belonging to Medialuso, a match broadcasting company.
Supporters of TP Mazembe have expressed their dissatisfaction and plan to demonstrate their anger and protest against the Congolese government. A peaceful march is planned for Tuesday, October 17, during which supporters will submit a memorandum to Jacques Kyabula, governor of the province.
In their correspondence to the city’s mayor, supporters denounce the inexplicable attitude of the government which deprives TP Mazembe, the only Congolese team selected in this prestigious competition, of the possibility of playing at home. They believe that this situation endangers the club’s participation and risks leading to shameful disqualification.
It is therefore clear that the dispute is burning between the supporters and the government, and that the decision to move the TP Mazembe matches was perceived as an affront. The supporters call on the authorities to take all necessary measures to regulate their march and express their discontent in a peaceful manner.
This situation once again highlights the tensions that can exist between sport and politics in Africa. Football is a powerful vector of emotion and passion for fans, who view their team as a source of national pride. When political obstacles hinder the participation of clubs in international competitions, this legitimately causes frustration and anger among supporters.
It remains to be seen how the Congolese government will react to this display of discontent and whether it will take measures to resolve the problem and satisfy TP Mazembe supporters. Regardless, this affair highlights the issues and challenges facing African clubs in their quest for sporting success on the continental scene.