Congolese giants TP Mazembe were held to a frustrating barren draw by hosts Fosa Juniors in a CAF Champions League clash played at Stade Rabemanajara in Madagascar.
It was a frustrating match for Mazembe as their star-studded midfield was not allowed to string passes together.
Fosa Juniors, on the other hand, were content with sitting at the back and managed to threaten Mazembe with a few quick breaks, but their coach will be pleased with how his young charges contained Englebert.
Mazembe took control of the match from the first whistle, but they were not allowed to create many clear-cut opportunities by the organised Fosa defence.
The first chance fell to Joseph Ochaya, who found himself with space on the left, but his shot went wide in the eighth minute.
Heriso received a yellow card for a clumsy double-footed tackle on Jean Kasususla just outside the box. Kalaba stepped up, but his free-kick went straight into Fabrica’s hands.
Mazembe continued to press forward, using their wingbacks to add more numbers, and it almost paid off in the 26th minute when Lamisha Musonda went on a dazzling run which was stopped illegally by Lolody on the edge of the box.
Kalaba’s attempt from the free-kick was poor as his tame shot failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Fosa almost took the lead against the run of play when Jean Dives fired in a long-range shot, but Mazembes goalkeeper Sylvian Gbohouo pulled off a one-handed save to tip the ball over for a corner.
The resulting corner almost produced a goal but Gbohouo was alert enough to block Andriniaina’s header; the ball bounced around the box a few times before Ochaya cleared the danger.
Fosa almost scored when Theodin latched onto a brilliant long pass from Baggio, but his shot struck the upright with Sandilands well-beaten.
Mazembe seemed to lose their tempo after the break, while Fosa continued to grow in confidence. Reinford Kalaba should’ve opened the scoring in the 70th minute when he attacked the box from the right – he took a powerful shot that struck Fabrica in the face when a deft chip would’ve been the better option.
Nathan Sinkala’s first chance came in the 76th minute but his looped header sailed past the top corner.
With Fosa keeping all players behind the ball, it was very difficult for Mazembe to feed Chipolopolo star Kalaba at the front, and in the end a goalless draw was a fair result.
