Five times CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe of DR Congo finds themselves in a do or die situation as they host Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the second round second leg match of the Africa’s biggest and most prestigious club championship in Lubumbashi on Tuesday 19.

Two unanswered goals in the first stanza of the tie played in Morocco a fortnight ago handed the North Africans an upper hand over the Coach Hubert Velud’s men, throwing them into a deep pit where they’ll need three straight goals to crawl out of for a place in the lucrative group stage.

Not known to loss at their fortress Stade TP Mazembe, the task ahead is not insurmountable for the “Ravens” however Wydad can dare dream of pulling an upset as they showed at home.

Five years ago, the clubs met in a last 16 match with Mazembe losing away 1-0 before turning the tides 2-0 at home only to be ruled out of the competition on a technicality for fielding a non eligible player.

Wydad went ahead to reach semis that year, their second best show after lifting the title in 1992.

Frenchman Velud understands the winning culture at Mazembe and the huge responsibility at hand, “Winning trophies is a habit at Mazembe and you are aware of that although I was not given specific objectives when signing a one year contract,” the former goalkeeper said.

On his part, the advantaged Wydad coach John Toshack expects a different ball game in Lubumbashi, “Our first leg performance was among the best since I joined the club two years ago, but it is likely to be a different game in DR Congo,”

“We will be playing on an artificial surface in an atmosphere unique to Africa. What does count in our favor is not conceding at home.” The former Real Madrid manager added.

In other matches, Enyimba of Nigeria will be seeking to defend a 3-0 win away to Etoile Du Sahel of Tunisia while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will be at home to overturn a 1-0 loss to AS Vita Club of DR Congo.

Zambia’s Zesco United host Stade Malien of Mali whom they thrashed 3-1 in the first leg. Young Africans make a trip to Egypt to face giants Al Ahly after a 1-1 first leg draw – domestic rivals Zamalek travel to Algeria to meet Mouloudia Bejia whom they beat 2-0 in the first stanza.

@bonfaceosano