TP Mazembe have advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after beating Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast 1-0 this afternoon at Kamalondo Stadium in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe went through on the away goals rule to advance to the group stage in May after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline to erase a 2-1 away loss they sustained in Abidjan last Sunday.
Tanzania international striker Mbwana Samatta's late goal in the second half sealed the DR Congo giant's return to the group stage for the first time since 2012.
Sewe Sports started the game strongly and had an opportunity to take the lead in the 10th minute through veteran midfielder Souleymane Dembele, who was unfortunate after firing his shot wide of Mazembe and DR Congo international goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba's goal.
Three minutes later Sewe had their lucky stars to thank when Given Singuluma’s shot ricocheted off the woodwork.
Mazembe's luck continued to elude them after the break, this time from the penalty spot when Zambia striker Jonas Sakuwaha’s spot kick was parried by Sewe goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.
Sakuwaha's penalty miss came just two minutes after Mazembe's defender Salif Coulibaly headed his effort wide of goal.
Relief for Mazembe came in the 66th minute when Samatta scored a goal after a neat build up involving his compatriot Thomas Ulimwengu and Ghana midfielder Solomon Asante.
Mazembe were given a late scare when striker Joseph Kameni saw his shot fly just wide of goal, much to the relief of the home supporters who were pleased when the final whistle came to erase the disappointment of last year's exit at the same stage at the hands of Orlando Pirates.
Meanwhile, Sewe, who played in the group stage last season, have a chance to redeem themselves in the Confederation Cup when they go into the April 1 pre-group stage knockout draw.
And Mazembe will know their group stage opponents when the draws are made on April 29 in Cairo.
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