Monomotapa ………0
TP Mazembe ………2
MONOMOTAPA’S chase of a Campions League semi-final may have been dealt a mortal blow after a morale-sapping 2-0 defeat to TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo at Rufaro on Saturday.
Mazembe now lead Group B with nine points from four matches, two ahead of Nigeria’s Heartland who drew 0-0 with Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia.
The Zimbabwean champions remain rooted at the bottom of the table with three points, one behind Etoile. Monomotapa must now beat Heartland at home and stun Etoile du Sahel in their backyard to stand a chance of progressing to the semi-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.
Huge financial rewards were in store for Mazembe players who were each promised US$3,000 bonuses for an away win.
And the visitors were ahead after just eight minutes, Kaluyituka Dioko slamming home a rebound after goalkeeper Godfrey Mangove parried a headed effort.
Monomotapa could have drawn level on 22 minutes but Chris Samakweri shot weakly into the hands of TP Mazembe goalkeeper Kadiaba Muteba when put clear.
Rodwell Dhlakama’s men huffed and puffed in search of the equaliser and were eventually caught on the break in injury time when Given Singuluma traced clear and scored the second.
MTN African Champions League
Teams:
Monomotapa: G. Mangove T. Samanja (C. Chiutsa 54th minute), F. Mangezie, D. Kamunenga (T. Gwata 79th minute) , M. Maphosa, A. Nhongo, L. Simango, C. Samakwere, D. Zokoto (T. Nyamandwe 54th minute), W. Mutsaka, D. Nyandoro
TP Mazembe: K. Muteba, K. Kiritsho, M. Mabi, K. Milota (S. Given 68th minute), B. Mbenza, B. de la Pierre, K. Dioko, M. Luyeye (K. Ngandu 55th minute), M. Kazembe (T. Mukiyani 78th minute), E. Narcisse, T. Kanymbo
MTN Champions League Fixtures
Group A
Kano Pillars (Nigeria) 2-1 Al Hilal (Sudan); Zesco United (Zambia) 0-0 Al Merrikh (Sudan)
Group B
Monomotapa (Zimbabwe) 0-2 TP Mazembe (DR Congo); ES Sahel (Tunisia) 0-0 Heartland FC (Nigeria)
(Winner Group A plays runner-up Group B and winner Group B plays runner-up Group A in the semi-finals)
Group B Results To Date
Monomotapa 0-2 TP Mazembe
ES Sahel 0-0 Heartland FC
TP Mazembe 5-0 Monomotapa
Heartland FC 3-0 ES Sahel
ES Sahel 2-1 TP Mazembe
Heartland 3-1 Monomotapa
Monomotapa 2-1 Etoile du Sahel
Heartland 0–2 TP Mazembe
MTN African Champions League Group B Table
| |
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
| TP Mazembe |
4
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
10
|
2
|
9
|
| Heartland |
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
3
|
7
|
| Etoile du Sahel |
4
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
4
|
| Monomotapa |
4
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
11
|
3
|
MTN African Champions League Group A Table
| |
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
PTS
|
| Al Hilal |
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
7
|
| Kano Pillars |
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
5
|
7
|
| Zesco United |
4
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
| Al Merreikh |
4
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
2
|