Three TP Mazembe players were hurt when stones were thrown at them by a group of Sanga Balende club supporters immediately after their DR Congo’s top flight match on Wednesday.
Trouble started just moments after the final whistle as hundreds of supporters stormed the pitch and attacked Mazembe contingent with stones and empty water bottles.
The tense situation was salvaged by the dozens of police officers who had been deployed to maintain law and order at the venue.
The violent scenes spilled over to the streets, where a section of fans donning the Balende’s replica jerseys were involved in running battles with the police as they pelted the lawmakers lorry that was brought in to evacuate the players.
The attacks left three players Kabso Chongo, Philippe Kinzumbi and Isaac Tshibangu with injuries and were taken to hospital where they were treated and discharged.
Mazembe prevailed winning the contest 1-0 but the rather close clash was overshadowed by ugly scenes of Sanga Balende fans attacking the Ravens contingent.
Tanzanian International Thomas Ulimwengu had scored the late winner in a highly explosive game that was played at Kashala Bonzola Stadium in Mbuji-Mayi.
After the accident, one of the players Kabaso Chongo confirmed he had a cut on the left side of his head that was treated in Lubumbashi.
“I am still in a lot of pain. I can’t say when exactly I will be back in training but I will need a few days to recover,” he said in an interview with reporters.
Mazembe are hoping to defend the league after claiming the maximum points that placed the on top of the log above second placed Maniema Union, who have two matches at hand.
