TP Mazembe Retains Continental title

Congo DR giants TP Mazembe successfully defended their CAF Confederations Cup title by defeating SuperSport United 2-1 on aggregate after the second leg ended goalless on Saturday night.

The first leg final ended 2-1 in favour of Mazembe last week.

The South Africans were on the back foot early on with Mazembe pressurising them in their own half.

Nathan Sinkala had a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring in the 13th minute after finding space inside the box from a corner but his strike sailed over the bar.

Rainford Kalaba should have opened the scoring in the 27th minute after finding space on the far side of the box, but his low left-footed shot was saved by Ronwen Williams who narrowed the angle.

Pamphile Mihayo's troops were all over Eric Tinkler's charges after 40 minutes as their strategy seemed to have been to get a goal that would put the hosts under tremendous pressure.

Aubrey Modiba had a rare chance to put Matsatsantsa in the lead two minutes before the halftime break after making a galloping run on the left wing, however his left footed scorcher sailed over the bar.

The first stanza ended goalless favouring the visitors who created good chances. The hosts started to play better in the first 10 minutes of the second half but lacked the final pass to unlock the Ravens' defence.

Thuso Phala had a chance in the 67th minute but he was not given enough space and forced a shot on the edge of the box that sailed inches wide of the upright.

Mazembe showed their experience in not giving Matsatsantsa enough space in the final third to operate.

As such, Tinkler withdrew striker Jeremy Brockie with 15 minutes remaining and brought in Dove Wome.

Bradley Grobler had an opportunity to give United the goal that they were craving for in the 80th minute from a free-kick on the edge of the box but he skied his strike over the bar.

Mazembe were reduced to 10 men eight minutes from time as defender Kabaso Chongo was picked up his second yellow card of the game.

The gamesmanship started for the visitors with minutes left on the clock as they started to wine down the clock by delaying tactics.

Phala was also shown his marching orders five minutes from time for a studs-up tackle as the numbers were evened out to 10-each on the field.

The final five minutes were tense as a goal for Matsatsantsa was going to hand them the title but their lack of goals at home handed Mazembe a 2-1 aggregate win.