Medeama SC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to five time Champions league winners TP Mazembe in the first leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa on Sunday.
The Ghanaian champions produced a disciplined and competitive display against the experienced Congolese side but were undone by a late goal that leaves them facing a difficult task in the return fixture.
The two teams played out a cagey first half, with neither side able to find a breakthrough before the interval.
Medeama showed attacking intent after the restart and created opportunities, particularly from set-pieces, but struggled to produce the decisive finish in the final third.
No goals after 45 minutes pic.twitter.com/fAPzAdVNaA
— Medeama SC (@MedeamaSC) September 6, 2026
As the match entered its closing stages, the hosts appeared to be on course for a goalless draw before TP Mazembe delivered the decisive blow.
Lise Nyembo Ntumba scored in the 87th minute to give the visitors the lead and silence the home crowd.
Medeama were unable to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes as Mazembe held on for a valuable away victory.
The result puts the Ghanaian champions behind heading into the second leg and means they will need to score in Lubumbashi to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
Defeat pic.twitter.com/m5DQ3SxJXL
— Medeama SC (@MedeamaSC) September 6, 2026
Despite the defeat, Medeama can take encouragement from their overall performance against one of Africa’s most experienced club sides.
Their defensive organisation kept Mazembe at bay for most of the contest, while their inability to convert their opportunities ultimately proved costly.
The second leg will be played in Lubumbashi next weekend, with Medeama needing to overturn the 1-0 deficit on Congolese soil to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Mazembe, meanwhile, will take a slender advantage into the return fixture as they look to complete the job at home.
