Mazembe edge FUS in Lubumbashi

by Bertin Basson

Sunday Oct 01, 2017. 18:15

TP Mazembe will take a narrow 1-0 lead to Rabat following their victory in a 2017 CAF Confederations Cup first-leg, semifinal showdown at the Stade TP Mazembe on Sunday.

The defending CAFCC champions were in the driving seat for most of the clash, and would've boasted a more dominant advantage had it not been for FUS Rabat goalkeeper Aymane Majid.

Majid was a one-man barrier at times throughout the match, as attention now turns to the reverse fixture in Morocco.

The Ravens, though, got off to the perfect start as Ben Malango found the back of the net in the 14th minute. The goal his sixth of the campaign.

FUS fought their way back into the game with Mehdi Bettache a threat either side of the break. First forcing Sylvain Gbohouo into a good save, before seeing his curling shot narrowly wide minutes after the interval.

Mazembe ended the game on the front foot with Majid called into constant action. The goal-minder with a particularly stunning save to deny Adama Traore late on.

In the end, Mazembe failed to add another to their tally, but will still fancy their chances of defending the crown they won 12 months ago.

The reverse fixture will take place in the Moroccan capital on the weekend of the 20th-22nd of October 2017.

The aggregate winners will take on either SuperSport United or Club Africain in the final.

In Atteridgeville earlier today, Matsatsantsa were held to a 1-1 stalemate to give the Tunisians a distinct advantage heading into the second-leg in Radès.

TP Mazembe (1) 1 (Malango 14')

FUS Rabat (0) 0

TP Mazembe: Gbohouo; Kasusula, Mondeko, Chongo, Issama - Adjei Nii, Sinkala (Koffi 63') - Traore, Kalaba (Asante 81'), Ushindi (Meschack 73') - Malango

FUS Rabat: Majid; Semmoumy, Aguerd, Sy, El Bassil (Benarif 67') - Boulhroud, Khalis, Skouma - Diakite, Bettache (Benlamachi 61'), Yansane (El Bahraoui 75')