- Mazembe are playing their home matches in Dar es Salaam
- Their last meeting was in 2019 in the Champions League
- This is the first leg of the quarter final
Congolese giants TP Mazembe will clash with Tunisia’s Esperance in the first leg of their African Football League (AFL) quarter final match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday night.
Mazembe are playing their matches in Dar and not their traditional home ground in Lubumbashi after difficulties in organizing the match at home.
Club owner Moise Katumbi alluded to politics, as most of the visitors could not obtain visas for the match, but welcomed the decision by Tanzania’s authorities to allow them use Dar as their home ground.
And in the match, they will hope to give a good account of themselves as they battle for the 4mn dollar top prize.
Coach Lamin N’Diaye who has returned to the team this season, and having previously won silverware with the team, says they have prepared well and are ready for the difficult duel with Esperance.
Esperance a tough team with experience
TP Mazembe during a training session in Dar es Salaam
“Esperance is a tough team and they showed that by reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. Whenever we meet, it is always a big game and we are ready for an epic game. We are determined to take a good result for an easier match in the second leg,” said the Senegalese coach.
The last time these two sides met was in the 2018-19 CAF Champions League when Esperance beat Mazembe 2-1 on aggregate to eliminate them from the competition. Skipper Kevin Mondeko was part of the team in that period, and says they will want to belatedly seek revenge for that painful defeat.
“We remember very well that match and we are going to try and make our revenge. We want to make sure that history does not repeat itself,” Mondeko said, speaking on Saturday during the pre-match press conference.
Meanwhile, Esperance head coach Tarek Thabet believes it will not be an easy duel against Mazembe.
Thabet says the five-time African champions have shown they are an improved lot, and with a lot of history in continental football, they will not be pushovers.
Prepared and ready for the challenge
Esperance during a training session in Dar es Salaam
“We have prepared very well and ready for the challenge. We know it is not going to be easy because we are playing against a very good team. Mazembe has a lot of experience and we are also facing a team that is improving a lot,” the tactician said.
He added; “All my players are ready and we will fight to get a positive result from the game.”
The same sentiments are shared by skipper Moez Ben Cherifia, who believes they will need to be at their best to tackle the Congolese giants.
“The coaches have done their work and we have also trained well. The tussle will be decided on the pitch. We know we are facing a tough game but we are ready for it. This is a big tournament and we also want to do well and win it,” Ben Cherifia said.
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