Tshikuna Tshibangu second half strike sinks Raja Casablanca but not enough to send TP Mazembe to CAF Champions League semis
TP Mazembe have been eliminated from the 2019-2020 Total CAF Champions League after been held to a slim home victory by Raja Club Athletic in the second leg of the Champions League quarter finals. Mazembe were beaten 2-0 in Casablanca last week and needed three unanswered goals to secure a semifinals place in the year’s competition.
That was never going to be easy for the Dr Congo giants, and with the first half ending in a goalless draw, the tie became tighter for the Ravens to overturn the tie.
However, Mazembe got a bright start to the second half when Isaac Tshikuna Tshibangu got behind the defence from the left edge of the box before finishing off nicely from Mputu’s perfect pass on the 50 minute mark.
The Ravens drew Raja Casablanca to their own half, asking so many questions about Raja’s defence, and nearly broke through when a fine shot from Muleka outside the box saw Raja keeper Anas Zniti produced a stunning save to deny Mazembe their second goal on the 63rd minute.
Some minutes later, Jackson Muleka again rose onto a nice lofted pass over the defence but Zniti intervene before fouling Muleka for a penalty. Muleka’s penalty was saved by the Raja Casablanca keeper to keep his side’s hope alive.
Rainford Kalaba nearly doubled Mazembe’s lead but Zniti dived to the far right posts to flick Kalaba’s curler to corner. In stoppage time, Raja equalized when Hamid Ahadad sent a beautiful curler to the bottom right corner but the referee whistled for an offside.
This results send Raja Casablanca through to the semifinals of the Champions League on 1-2 aggregate, their first one in 15 years. They face Zamalek in the semis.
