The African champions, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, lost their Fifa Club World Cup quarterfinal 3-0 to Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Osaka on Sunday.

Mazembe, Club World Cup finalists five years ago, dominated the Japanese champions for long periods but lacked a killer touch.
Defender Tsukasa Shiotani, who scored in the 2-0 win over Auckland City on Thursday, poked home a Yusuke Chajima corner to give Hiroshima the lead just before halftime.

Centre-back Kazuhiko Chiba headed in a second goal 11 minutes after the break to put the newly crowned J-League champions firmly in control before substitute Takuma Asano added a third.
Mazembe had their chances but failed to make the most of their opportunities.

Mbwana Samatta got clean away from the defence early on but dallied over his shot and gave Chiba time to scramble back and tackle.

Mazembe were again lively after halftime and substitute Thomas Ulimwengu fired a low shot just wide after breaking from inside his own half.

It ends the Congolese club’s hopes of emulating or even bettering their performance from five years ago when they eliminated Brazilian side Internacional to reach the final where they lost to Rafael Benitez’s Inter Milan.

TP Mazembe will now need to regroup ahead of the match for fifth place against Mexico’s Club America on Wednesday.
Earlier on Sunday, Club America lost their quarterfinal 2-1 to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande who will now face Barcelona in the semifinal on Thursday.

Mazembe’s conquerors Sanfrecce Hiroshima will now face Argentina’s Libertadores Cup holders River Plate in their semifinal.

Report by BBC.

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com