TP Mazembe Edges FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0 in CAF Champions League Clash
The visiting TP Mazembe team seized an early lead, with Cheick Fofana netting the sole goal of the match in the 6th minute.
LILONGWE, Malawi - In a tightly contested first-leg encounter of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets faced a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Democratic Republic of Congo's TP Mazembe, writes Happy Valirani.
The match took place on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The visiting TP Mazembe team seized an early lead, with Cheick Fofana netting the sole goal of the match in the 6th minute.
This early breakthrough proved to be decisive, as both teams exhibited strong defensive performances for the remainder of the game.
Despite FCB Nyasa Big Bullets displaying impressive teamwork with intricate passing and ball retention, they struggled to penetrate TP Mazembe's resolute defence throughout the match.
As a result, TP Mazembe now holds a one-goal advantage going into the second-leg encounter, which will be hosted by TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on September 30, 2023.
The five-time CAF Champions League winners will aim to capitalise on their lead to secure a spot in the next round of the tournament.
Calisto Pasuwa, the coach for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, acknowledged the role of experience in TP Mazembe's victory, saying, "We were playing the ball in areas that were not dangerous. We lacked movement in the attacking third to score goals. Our opponents scored the only goal, and they managed to defend it. That's what the Champions League is all about, you score one goal, you manage your goal, and then that's it."
He expressed hope for the return leg in the DRC, stating, "We will talk to the boys to raise their spirits. If our opponents have managed to score one goal here, we can also score in the DRC. We will try our best to come out with the result."
TP Mazembe's coach, Lamine Ndiaye, credited his team's victory to solidarity and experience.
The match showcased the competitive nature of the CAF Champions League, where every goal and defensive effort can make all the difference.
The upcoming second-leg match promises to be a thrilling showdown as both teams vie for a place in the next round of the tournament, with TP Mazembe holding a slender lead.