TP MAZEMBE DRAW BLANKS AGAINST PYRAMIDS TO SAIL THROUGH WITH A 2-0 AGGREGATE

TP Mazembe secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after beating Egypt’s Pyramids FC 2-0 in Lubumbashi on Saturday afternoon in the return tie of their quarter final duel.

Mazembe went through with a 2-0 aggregate score with the first leg in Cairo last weekend having ended 0-0.

Playing at home in Lubumbashi, the Ravens knew they had to complete the job and they started the match off with some pace, seeking to close out the game early enough.

They had a golden chance to break the deadlock on the quarter hour mark when they were awarded a spotkick, but Christian Koffi saw his penalty saved by the Pyramids goalie Sherif Ekramy.

Minutes later, they had another open opportunity when Zemanga Soze had a chance at goal, but couldn’t hit the target.

The home side however kept the pressure and Koffi finally made amends for his penalty miss after opening the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing off a pass from Kabaso Chongo after some good interchange play for Mazembe.

Mazembe were relentless in their hunt and they doubled their lead a minute to the break when Jephte Kitambala reacted quickest to a save from Ekramy to bundle the ball home.

Going to the break with a two-goal cushion, Mazembe were comfortable.

Pyramids came back breathing fire at the break and they pinned the hosts in their own half. South African Fagrie Lakay had two close chances, but he saw both his efforts com to nothing.

Kitambala should have wrapped up the game with 12 minutes to go, but he missed a golden chance.

Mazembe, winners of the Confederation Cup in 2016 and 2017 held on for the win to ensure a hunt for a third title remains on course.