TP Mazembe will play three warm-ups before they clash with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2017 CAF Super Cup at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pretoria, South Africa on February 18.
The 2016 CAF Confederations Cup winners have been sharpening at the Moise Katumbi Center of Excellence in Kamalondo, and on Tuesday 7, received a boost with the arrival in camp of Malian Salif Coulibaly, keeper Ley Matampi and Djos Issama, all who were out in Gabon for the just concluded AFCON.
The Ravens – gunning for a fourth Super Cup glory, and a second on the trot, will host AS New Soger in the first friendly on February 10 at 9:00 AM, Lubumbashi Sport a day later at 3:00 PM before finishing against Bazano JS Group on February 14.
All the friendlies will be open to public and media.
Mazembe, 5-times African champions, will have to work overdrive to get in top shape, as they have been out of competitive action since suspension of DR Congo’s topflight “Linafoot” late last year.
Meanwhile, their Super Cup opponents (Sundowns) were back in league action, in the Premier Soccer League, last night with a 1-0 triumph away to Bloemfontein Celtic.
“The Brazilians” missed the services of the reigning African Player of the Year based in Africa Denis Onyango, who is yet to return from Gabon outing with Uganda, second choice keeper Wyne Sandilands manned the posts in his absence.
Head Coach Pitso Masimone handed new signing Fares Hachi full debut. The Algerian defender joined the reigning African champions from ES Setif.
This will be Sundowns first Super Cup appearance, while Mazembe have bagged the CAF tournaments’ curtain raiser thrice (2010, 2011 and 2016).
