**TP Mazembe: A promising return to their roots, but a mixed record in the Champions League**
Saturday 18 January 2025 will remain etched in the memories of TP Mazembe supporters, not only for the team’s brilliant performance against Al-Hilal, but also for the complexity of emotions it arouses in a season that has been, overall, difficult. The Ravens impressed on the pitch, inflicting a crushing defeat on the Sudanese by a score of 4-0, but this raises questions about their progress in the Champions League group stage.
### A resounding victory but… at what cost?
The match was marked by impressive individual performances, notably that of Jean Diouf, who opened the scoring with a precise header, and Ibrahima Keita, whose devastating free-kick allowed them to take the lead. However, this victory comes only after a disappointing group campaign, where Mazembe finished in last place with a mere 5 points. This success is of crucial importance for the team’s morale, but it cannot mask the shortcomings of a chaotic season.
### Comparison with past performances
Analyzing Mazembe’s performances in previous editions of the Champions League, it is evident that this team has considerable pedigree on the African scene. In 2015, for example, TP Mazembe finished the group stage with 13 points, reaching the quarter-finals, which is a testament to the team’s ability to rise to an elite level. The current drop to last place in Group A highlights not only a lack of consistency, but also a worrying development in a competition where they have traditionally excelled.
### Blind spots to address for the future
As we look back on this campaign, several question marks emerge. What lessons will Mazembe’s technical staff and management learn from this season? The analysis of statistics reveals notable defensive weaknesses, including difficulties in managing transitions and pressure from opponents. Indeed, TP Mazembe conceded a large number of goals on the counterattack, pointing the finger at a defense that sometimes lacks responsiveness.
### A return to offensive creativity
The match against Al-Hilal was a symbol of what Mazembe can achieve when they play without hindrance. With players like Oscar Kabwit, who was very active in attack, and a more creative midfield in the image of Merceil Ngimbi, the Ravens showed a side of football that recalls their best hours. It remains to be seen whether this performance is the start of a renaissance or simply a flash in the pan, while structural challenges persist within the team.
### Future Prospects
With one season now behind them, the club must reinvent itself to regain its leading position on the African scene. This requires an in-depth analysis of performances, but also a strategy of investing in young talents, in order to rekindle the flame of ambition that made TP Mazembe famous. The team leaders must also think about how to transform the vigor demonstrated during this victory into emotional and technical capital that can be used for the next campaigns.
In short, although the victory against Al-Hilal is a decisive comfort and an affirmation of the intrinsic capacities of the players, it must not obscure the still winding path that TP Mazembe must travel to regain its historical ranks in African football. Only a strategic, balanced and bold approach will make it possible to right the ship and write a new chapter of success on the continental scene.