TP Mazembe: Has the giant become a colossus with feet of clay?

Tout Puissant Mazembe, the powerhouse of Congolese football and a true fortress at home, is going through an unexpectedly dark period.

In just a few days, Lubumbashi’s flagship club has suffered back-to-back defeats at their Kamalondo stronghold, losing first to FC Lupopo and then to FC Tanganyika. This rare, almost historic double blow has sparked serious concerns among supporters.

A desecrated sanctuary

Kamalondo, the stage for the Ravens’ greatest exploits, is no longer an impregnable bastion. The loss to Tanganyika, newly promoted to Linafoot this season, particularly stunned the pundits.

It wasn’t just the scoreline (1-2) that shocked, but especially the players’ attitude—described as listless, disorganized, even lacking pride. A telling symbol: Mazembe is no longer the master of its own home.

Management under fire

For analysts, the crisis goes beyond the pitch. Josué Tshikombo, a respected voice in Congolese sports journalism, points to a poorly managed sporting transition that began several years ago:

“Since 2015, the club hasn’t managed to renew itself intelligently. Management has remained stuck in its ways,” he told Congo Quotidien in an interview.

With risky signings, inexperienced youngsters, and poorly handled departures, TP Mazembe seems to suffer from a lack of vision and a total absence of structural renewal.

Lamine Ndiaye, at the heart of the storm

Lamine Ndiaye, once the hero of the club’s golden era, now finds himself in troubled waters. With a limited squad at his disposal, the experienced Senegalese coach seems short of ideas to get the machine firing again.

Some argue that the 2010 Champions League winner with TPM is paying more for his leaders’ mistakes than his own. But in elite football, excuses count for little when faced with results.

Now with three defeats in six play-off matches, Mazembe isn’t down and out yet. But the empire is wavering. And the cracks are beginning to show.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.