Constantine, Mazembe battle for top spot

TP Mazembe player (L)

Thursday Jan 17, 2019. 15:00

CS Constantine and TP Mazembe will battle for the ascendancy in Group C of the 2018/19 CAF Champions League when they meet at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine on Saturday, 19 January 2019, kick-off at 21h00 CAT.

Constantine come into the match having already made a major statement with a 1-0 away win over Tunisian giants Club African last weekend.

Abdenour Belkheir scored the only goal as the Algerians triumphed in Sousse in their first-ever group stage match in the premier continental competition.

CSC coach Denis Lavagne said the away win could lay a platform for more sustained success in the Champions league, but they will need to be at their best for the challenge of Mazembe on Saturday night.

The DR Congo giants are top of the pool on goal difference thanks to their opening 2-0 win at home to Egypt’s Ismaily last Saturday.

The Ravens had to work hard to claim the three points, but late goals from Chico Ushindi and Kevin Mondeko did the job for Mihayo Kazembe’s team.

Mazembe, who are targeting a sixth continental crown (and a first since 2015), will need to put up a strong showing in Algeria to convince the doubters that they can break the North African stranglehold on the Champions League.

The other Group C match this weekend takes place on Friday evening in Ismaila, with Ismaily taking on Club African in a North African derby.

Moroccan referee Noureddine El Jaafari will be in charge of the game in Constantine.