Advances to CAF Champions League semi-finals

DR Congo giants TP Mazembe have sealed their place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Semi-Finals after a 2-1 away win over Petro Luanda of Angola, CAFonline reports.

Following a 0-0 statement in Lubumbashi, Jonathan Toro’s opener was almost enough to send the Angolan outfit to their second-ever TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Still, a rejuvenated Mazembe side returned from the recess to turn the match upside down away from home.

As expected, the Angolan champions took control of the match in the opening stages with attacks from the middle, led by the skillful Pedro Miguel, who pulled strings for the hosts.

The opener nearly came in the 9th minute after danger-man Jonathan Toro’s well-struck volley went inches over the bar, to the visitors’ relief.

The forward made amends in the 29th minute with a well-taken strike at the half-hour mark, giving his side the lead.

With the match destined for victory in favor of the hosts, Philippe Kinzumbi silenced the crowd with a brilliant turn. He unleashed a grass cutter that beat Hugo Marques to level matters in the 82nd minute.

The goal gave the hosts a sudden wakeup call, who had already been in celebratory mode as they started sending numbers forward – a tactic that dismally backfired as Joel Beya broke the hearts of the Angolans with a late strike in referee’s optional time to make it 2-1 in favor of Mazembe who set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with reigning champions, Al Ahly.

Mazembe will now prepare to face the record-holding champions in a two-legged affair, with the first fixture being at home on 19 April before the away tie on 26 April to determine who between the two will advance to the finals.