Goals by Adama Traore and Daniel Adjei in Lubumbashi last weekend were enough to help the Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe defend the Caf Confederation Cup title and in the process win the trophy for a record third time.
SuperSport United, who were hoping to join Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs as South African clubs to have won a Caf competition, failed to capitalise on their home advantage.
Coach Eric Tinkler’s team efforts were not enough to break down the well-oiled Mazembe team which finished with 10 men after midfielder Chongo Kabasa was shown a red card for a second offence.
Mazembe managed to hold SuperSport to a goalless draw, a result which saw them take home the R14-million winners’ cheque.Tinkler made a single change from the team he started with in Lubumbashi, restoring the experienced Reinelwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane in the place of Togolese midfield player Dove Wome.
He was also brave to start with youngster Sipho Mbule again in the heart of midfield.Mbule, who scored a consolation beauty for Matsatsantsa a Pitori in Lubumbashi, did not disappoint. He played like a seasoned professional with most of SuperSport’s attacks engineered by him. The 19-year-old played without fear, daring to take on the opposition players with ease.
But from the early exchanges, Mazembe showed their class as they weren’t sitting back to defend their 2-1 lead. Tactically, they went for the jugular, bombarding the home team with ferocious attacks, particularly breaking on the left flank...