Lamine N’diaye Reflects on Mazembe’s CAF-C1 Success
In a thrilling match on Saturday, January 18th in Lubumbashi, Le Tout Puissant Mazembe faced off against Florent Ibenge’s Al Hilal club from Sudan in the final day of the CAF Champions League group stage. The game ended in a resounding 4-0 victory for the Congolese team, Mazembe.
A Proud Coach Despite Elimination
After the final whistle, Mazembe’s coach, Lamine N’diaye, expressed his pride in his players, even though they did not advance to the next stage of the competition. He emphasized that they had shown their potential and deserved to win in their last few matches. N’diaye congratulated them on their determination and commitment to the club, acknowledging that it was not enough for qualification. He encouraged both his players and the fans to look ahead with new solid foundations.
“It’s a feeling of pride for my players because we were already eliminated before this match, and we were eager to show that we have the level. Football is football. I think if we had asked everyone to bet at the beginning, maybe the score would have been against us. But I was convinced that we were capable of achieving this. Because in the first leg, we lost to them in stoppage time. We didn’t deserve to lose. On the contrary. And in many games we played, we didn’t deserve to lose,” he stated in a post-match press conference.
He continued, “We must congratulate these boys, encourage them because it wasn’t easy. We wanted to save face. It doesn’t give us qualification, but we can start afresh on solid foundations. Because the boys on the field showed that they love this club and gave their all. That’s what matters.”
Qualifying Teams and Farewells
In this group, Al Hilal and Mouloudia Algeria secured their spots in the next round, while Mazembe and Young Africans bid farewell to the competition.
Even though Mazembe’s journey in the CAF Champions League came to an end, their coach’s pride and optimism for the future serve as a testament to the team’s resilience and commitment. As they regroup and prepare for future challenges, their passion for the sport and dedication to their club remain unwavering.