Holders Mazembe reach group phase

Reigning champions TP Mazembe edged through to the group stage of the Champions League on Sunday.The DRC side beat Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in the third round, second-leg game at home in Lubumbashi.

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Reigning champions TP Mazembe edged through to the group stage of the Champions League on Sunday.
The DRC side beat Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in the third round, second-leg game at home in Lubumbashi.

This means they reach the group phase of the continent’s flagship club tournament, 2-1 on aggregate.

Two-second half goals from Patou Kabangu and Benza Bedi helped Mazembe to advance despite a tough first-half display by Wydad.

It was 0-0 at half-time and Mazembe missed a penalty early in the second period, but Kabangu put the champions in front on 75 minutes with a long range strike.

Their progress was confirmed when Benza Bedi fired home from close range in stoppage time at the end of the game.
The Wydad coach Fakhreddine Rajhi was sent to the stands by the referee after persistently questioning the official’s decisions.

Agencies