Linafoot: deep crisis at TP Mazembe!

Africa 16 May 2025 at 12:23

Amine Jomni

News Editor

Tout Puissant Mazembe, long accustomed to ruling the Congolese football scene with an iron fist, is now facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty.

Suffering back-to-back home defeats—first to FC Lupopo, then to FC Tanganyika—the Lushoto club has shattered a lengthy unbeaten streak at their legendary Kamalondo stadium. This situation raises profound questions about the club's future.

Kamalondo no longer intimidates

Once an impregnable fortress, Kamalondo is now being breached by opponents Mazembe used to dispatch without breaking a sweat.

The loss to newly promoted Tanganyika (1-2) particularly stunned fans. More than the scoreline, it’s the lack of fighting spirit and cohesion from the Ravens that is cause for concern.

For the first time in years, the fear factor has switched sides.

A mismanaged transition

The heart of the problem seems to be a poorly handled generational change:

"Mazembe failed to manage its transition between generations," says Josué Tshikombo, a respected figure in Congolese sports journalism.

The recruitment of inexperienced young players, without a clear and structured project, has weakened the club’s identity. Since 2015, key pillars have departed without being replaced by players of equal caliber.

The result: a team that has lost its soul and is now searching for direction.

Lamine Ndiaye: between past glory and present struggles

The architect behind Mazembe’s golden era, the boss of the Ravens’ Nest, Lamine Ndiaye, now appears to be running out of answers.

Facing a limited squad and mounting pressure, the Senegalese tactician seems bereft of solutions. Some critics point to outdated tactical choices, while others highlight an aging club management.

One thing is clear: stability is no longer guaranteed.

TP Mazembe is not yet in free fall, but doubt is creeping in. The era of uncontested domination may well be drawing to a close.