Last Sunday, TP Mazembe, a Congolese football club, won an important victory in the quarter-final first leg of the African Football League against Esperance Sportive de Tunis. This victory (1-0) positions TP Mazembe in a good position to move on to the next stage of the competition. Considered an outsider against the Tunisians, the Congolese club confirmed its excellent start to the season.
After having been criticized in recent seasons for its contested recruitment choices, TP Mazembe now seems to justify its movements on the transfer market. The new recruits as well as the return of coach Lamine N’Diaye were key elements in the club’s success. N’Diaye, who returned to the club after more than ten years, quickly made his mark.
TP Mazembe are currently engaged in three different competitions – the National Football League, the African Football League and the CAF Champions League – and remain undefeated in all these competitions since the start of the 2023-24 season. Only the Cheminots managed to draw against N’Diaye’s team, which has a string of victories.
Defensive solidity has been a strong point for TP Mazembe this season. The pair of Mondeko-Kalonji defenders demonstrated excellent complementarity, helping to maintain zero conceded in the nine matches played by the club this season. This defensive solidity will be key to reaching the semi-finals of the African Football League, with an apparent advantage. So far, TP Mazembe has a record of eight wins and one draw, with twenty goals scored and none conceded.
Moïse Katumbi’s club seems to be making good on its bet from last season by bringing back the Franco-Senegalese coach. With impressive results and positive momentum, TP Mazembe is on track for a successful season.
Source: [Article link](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/10/25/mazembe-se-prepare-pour-une-bataille-cruciale-en-afl-contre-lesperance-sportive-de-tunisie /)