Ghanaian champions Medeama SC travel to Lubumbashi for the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round qualifier against giants TP Mazembe. The Mauve and Yellow suffered heartbreak in the first leg in Tarkwa, where TP Mazembe scored a late goal to shock them in front of a partisan crowd at the T&A Park.
The 1-0 defeat at home leaves Medeama with a mountain to climb in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the Ghanaian champions must score at least once at the Stade TP Mazembe to have any chance of progressing, and a two-goal margin is needed to advance outright without the need for penalties.
A 1-0 win for Medeama will force the tie to a penalty shootout.
Medeama SC will need to put the disappointment of the first leg behind them quickly. Despite dominating large spells in Tarkwa, Ibrahim Tanko's side was undone by a lack of cutting edge and a momentary lapse in concentration at the back.
The five-time CAF Champions League winners, TP Mazembe, on the other hand, will be confident of finishing the job at home. Renowned for their formidable home record in Lubumbashi, Mazembe are expected to use their experience, physicality, and altitude to their advantage.
Medeama will look to the creativity of Emmanuel Annor and the attacking threat of Abdul Salam, Prince Owusu and Kingsley Braye to breach the Mazembe defence. Defensively, the likes of Fatawu Sulemana, Etse Dogli and Ebenezer Adade must stay compact and avoid conceding early, as an away goal for Mazembe would make the task even more difficult.
TP Mazembe will rely on their experienced squad and the intimidating atmosphere of their home ground to see off the Ghanaian side.
For Medeama, this is more than just a qualification tie — it is a chance to prove they belong among Africa's elite.
The match will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with kick-off at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi scheduled for 2:00 PM local time.
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