DRC topflight “Linafoot” 2016/17 season title will be decided Wednesday with a salivating clash between holders TP Mazembe and AS Vita Club at Stade Mazembe, Lubumbashi.
Perched joint top of the playoffs table standings on thirty points apiece, only goal difference separates the two giants, an indicator of how close the title charge has been.
Mazembe, 15-time champions boast a superior goal difference (+18) compared to Vita’s (+15), and will successfully defend their gong with a draw tomorrow.
Vita on the other hand will be going for a straight win to break a two-year wait to land their 14th title.
The team has already checked in Lubumbashi without the technical bench staffs, which are expected to fly in tomorrow two hours to kick-off.
Both teams go into the do or die clash against the backdrop of wins in their respective penultimate fixtures Sunday.
Mazembe walloped Muungano 3-0 in Bakavu, while Vita edged Kinshasa rivals Daring Club Motema Pembe 1-0 in the capital.
Vita won the initial leg of this clash 1-0 at Martyrs Stadium, Kinshasa and will be buoyed by the slim head to head record going into the reverse tie.
However, the Ravens are known to be a hard nut to crack in Lubumbashi, and Vita will need to be at their optimum to break them.
Coached by former player Pamphile Mihayo, the five-time African champions have been rebuilding after a host of its top stars including Tanzanian Mbwana Samatta left for greener pastures.
Mihayo’s gambles with youthful academy graduates like Ben Malango have greatly paid off; the prodigy is currently the club’s leading goal scorer with 18 goals.
In the Muungano win, he handed Jackson Muleka, Moise Katumbi Academy graduate, his senior debut – coming on for Ben in the 78th minute.
Vita, under the tutelage of the DRC national team coach Florent Ikwange Ibenge, has been blowing hot and cold especially in the CAF Champions League, where they failed to reach the quarters, nonetheless, they have managed to cope in the domestic front and keep the title chase.
In their Arsenal is Etekiama Agiti Tady who leads the league’s scoring chart with 19 goals. He will be looked upon to deliver the goals as he goes for the golden boot.
