**Tout-Puissant Mazembe in difficulty at the start of the season**
The 2023-2024 season of the Illicocash Ligue 1 national championship starts under mixed auspices for Tout-Puissant Mazembe. The legendary team, accustomed to success, is struggling to find its rhythm and must deal with mixed results. Indeed, after three days of the championship, the Ravens have a disappointing record of two draws and one defeat.
On October 20, during a tense derby against Football Club Saint Eloi Lupopo, Mazembe suffered a bitter defeat with a score of 0-1. This setback highlighted the team’s current difficulties, unable to find the key to winning important matches. A situation that was also marked by regrettable incidents, with acts of vandalism by some supporters, disrupting the smooth running of the match.
The Ravens’ start to the season had nevertheless given rise to hope, with draws against AS Malole of Kananga (1-1) and FC Tanganyika (0-0). However, these mixed results were followed by a damaging underperformance against Lupopo, plunging TP Mazembe to tenth place in the Group A standings, with only 2 points in three games.
On the other hand, FC Lupopo, victorious in the derby, is in more convincing form, totaling 6 points in two games and positioning itself in fourth place in the provisional standings. A positive dynamic that contrasts with Mazembe’s difficult start to the season.
Furthermore, the other Group A matches also held their share of surprises. AS Simba took the upper hand over US Panda B52 of Likasi (2-1) and currently occupies fifth position with 6 points, while AS Malole and FC Blessing neutralized each other (0-0). In this group A, it is FC Tanganyika that dominates the debates, with 10 points in 4 matches played.
As for group B in Kinshasa, the oppositions continue to deliver their share of emotions, like the draw between Daring Club Motema Pembe and AC Rangers.
Thus, the complicated start of the season of TP Mazembe reveals weaknesses to correct and adjustments to make to find the path to success. The team will have to quickly remobilize and find solutions to get back to winning ways and get back on track in this demanding national championship.