TP Mazembe sealed a 1-0 victory over AS Otoho d’Oyo in Lubumbashi, in their Group C opener of the 2021/2022 Confederation Cup.
The first clear chance of the game came in the 6th minute, with Emmanuel Njoh forcing a great save from Otoho keeper Wolfrigon Ngobo from a dangerous free-kick.
The visitors had their best first half opportunity just past the half an hour mark, when Kader Bidimbou set up Thibault Biassadila whose close range effort just brushed off the post.
Mazembe went ahead on the 37th minute after winning a free-kick that was directly converted by Njoh who sneaked a low shot past Otoho wall.
Mercey Ngimbi had a big a chance to double the lead on the 43rd minute when he was played through on goal from Chongos’s defence-splitting pass but as he was about to shoot, Odongo made a crucial block from behind.
Otoho forced Mazembe to defend deep in the opening exchanges of the second stanza but they lacked the final product.
In the 53rd minute Mamadou Cissé came close when he met a Mouandza Mapata cross, but his header went wide of goal.
Five minutes later and Mamadou was in the action again, this time with a long range shot, but it was superbly saved by. Ibrahim Mounkoro
Ngobo saved his side in the 70th minute with a fingertip stop to deny a shot from Ernest Luzolo Sita.
Wilfird Kaya had a good chance to level matters for the visitors in the dying minutes after a through ball by Makiesse at the near post but he dragged his low shot wide across goal.
It proved to be the last chance of the game, with Otoyo’s players left frustrated and angered over perceived unfairness from the match officials.
The other Group C match this weekend saw Cotton Sport being held to a goalless stalemate by Al Masy at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
