Kinshasa, November 10th, 2022 (CPA) – FC Saint Eloi Lupopo of DRC returned to the group stage of a Confederation of African Football (CAF) interclub competition, 16 years later, by eliminating Rail Club Kadiogo of Burkina Faso, on Wednesday, at the Martyrs of Pentecost stadium, in the second leg of the 16th final bis of CAF Cup, with the score of 1-0.
The Railwaymen qualified with ease in front of this team from Burkina Faso, achieving two home and away victories. After winning in the first leg in Cotonou 1-0, Lupopo won again in Kinshasa, with the same score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was the work of Jean-Marc Makusu Mundela (76th), who followed a shot from his teammate cascaded back by Kadiogo goalkeeper for the opener. Mukusu came on in the second period (62nd) in place of captain Patou Kabungu Mulota.
A great victory for Lupopo who hands down his qualification in the group stage.
A miracle for coach Mohamed Magassouba
Qualifying 16 years later is a miracle for the coach of this team, the Malian Mohamed Magassouba, who talks about the difficulties encountered, including the absence of several recruits from this season in his system of play: « none of our recruits from this year has not played this competition, we have worked miracles by reaching this level. In the group stage, we will have all the elements at our disposal. We will have another face and a very powerful team. There are internationals who are there, but have not had the opportunity to play.
Rail Club du Kadiogo cannot believe it, he who, in the space of three weeks, was eliminated by two Congolese clubs. V.Club eliminated him on October 20th in the Champions League with an aggregate score of (0-0/0-0 5-3), and Lupopo finished him with two wins, aggregate score 2-0 on the same installations of the Martyrs of Pentecost stadium.
As a reminder, Lupopo’s last participation at this level of the competition dates back to 2006. Lupopo was based in Group B, along with two Tunisian clubs: Etoile Sportive of Sahel and Esperance Sportive Tunis, and also Renacimiento FC from Guinea- Equatorial. Lupopo finished 3rd with 4 points. He had managed a draw against ES Tunis in Lubumbashi 2-2, and also a crushing victory against Renacimiento FC 5-1.
Good luck for Congolese football
With the qualifications of these three Congolese clubs joining V.Club, Congolese football has just achieved a first in history, managing to field four clubs in the group stage. If in the Champions League V.Club will be alone in its group, in the Confederation Cup on the other hand, there is a good chance that the two Congolese clubs will find themselves in the same pool. ACP/
