The past Founded in 1939 in Lubumbashi by Benedictine monks, TP Mazembe were one of the most successful African clubs in the 60s. Called TP Englebert at the time, the Congolese played in four consecutive continental finals, winning two African Cup of Champions Clubs. They added the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1980, but then had to take a back-seat as Vita Club and Motema Pembe dominated football in DR Congo.
In the late 1990s local politician/businessman Moise Katumbi became involved with the club and brought it back to its glory days, winning the domestic championship in 2000. Since then, they have played not only a dominant role domestically, they have also taken on the continent, winning back to back CAF Champions titles in 2009 and 2010. Since then they played in two further Champions League semi-finals and lost the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup final against CS Sfaxien.
The present Due to their Champions League assignments, the club has to play catch-up in the domestic league, which they lost to bitter rivals Vita Club earlier in the year. As the FIFA Club World Cup approaches, it seems likely that they will fall further behind. However, with the financial backing of Katumbi, the club has assembled a squad consisting of players of an international caliber allowing the coach to work on the rotation principle. At the finals in Japan, Les Corbeaux are likely to be without Jean Kasusula. The defender, who played in the two previous Club World Cup campaigns for Mazembe, broke his arm in a scooter accident just before the return leg of the Champions League final and will be out for up to eight weeks.
The future In 2010 TP Mazembe became the first non-European or non-South American team to advance to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after sensationally knocking out Copa Libertadores champions Internacional in the semi-final. Patrice Carteron's team is keen to repeat that success and fans believe they have the players to do so. Several players who featured in that 2010 team were in the team that beat USM Alger in the final of the CAF Champions League to qualify for Japan.
Facts and Figures
Qualifying statistics
In the group phase of the CAF Champions League, Les Corbeaux started with two draws, putting themselves under some pressure. But with their backs against the wall the team fought back strongly, finding themselves in a must-win situation ahead of their final group game against Moghreb Tétouan. And they made no mistake as they ran riot, winning 5-0 with Mbwana Samatta grabbing a hat-trick.
Mazembe faced-off with former coach Diego Garzitto in the semi-finals. The Frenchman won the Champions League with Mazembe in 2009 and was in charge as they finished sixth at the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Garzitto's Al Merreikh managed a 2-1 win at home, but were well beaten 3-0 in the return leg in Lubumbashi. The final saw Mazembe take on USM Alger and this time they laid the groundwork away, winning 2-1 in Algeria. They added a 2-0 win at home to secure their third continental title in the last seven years.
The numbers game
5 – The number of CAF Champions League titles that the club from the DR Congo have won. Only Cairo giants Al Ahly have won more with eight. Egypt's Zamalek also stand on five titles, but Mazembe have two runners-up places, compared to Zamalek's one.
Players
Goalkeepers: Robert Kidiaba (39 years), Aimé Bakula (30 years), Sylvain Gbohouo (27 years /Ivory Coast)
Defenders: Joel Kimwaki (29 years), Patient Mwepu (28 years), Salif Coulibaly 27 years/Mali), Kabaso Chongo (23 years/Zambia), Yaw Frimpong (29 years/Ghana), Richard Kissi Boateng (27 years/Ghana)
Midfielders: Nathan Sinkala (25 years/Zambia), Given Singuluma (29 years/Zambia), Merveille Bokadi (22 years), Rainford Kalaba (29 years/Zambia), Daniel Nii Adjei (27 years/Ghana), Gladson Awako (24 years/Ghana), Solomon Asante (25 years/Ghana), Boubacar Diarra (21 years/Mali)
Forwards: Mbwana Samatta (22 years/Tanzania), Thomas Ulimwengu (22years/Tanzania), Roger Assalé (22years/Ivory Coast), Adama Traoré (20 years/Mali), Jonathan Bolingi (21 years)
Coach: Patrice Carteron (France)
Source CAF online