Mazembe striker Samata seeks more goals

TP Mazembe striker Mbwana Samata wants to continue his goal-a-game CAF Confederation Cup run this weekend.

TP Mazembe striker Mbwana Samata hopes to continue his goal-a-game CAF Confederation Cup run this weekend.

The Democratic Republic of Congo club, favourites to win the second-tier African club championship, host Moroccans FUS Rabat in Lubumbashi.

And the Group B matchday 2 fixture offers Tanzania-born Samata, 21, a chance to increase his three-goal haul.

He scored in both legs of a play-off triumph over Liga Muculmana of Mozambique after Mazembe dropped down following a CAF Champions League loss.

Samata was on target again away to Entente Setif of Algeria in matchday 1 two weeks ago, but it was not enough to deliver maximum points.

Setif levelled almost immediately for a 1-1 draw, and the other group game between FUS and Tunisian visitors CA Bizertin produced an identical score.

The results earned each club one point ahead of the second series of fixtures with Bizertin at home to Setif in the other.

Samata is part of a large foreign contingent with the Congolese 'Ravens' that includes fellow Tanzanian goal poacher Thomas Ulimwengu.

Recently appointed French coach Patrice Carteron can also call on stars from Ghana, Mali, Uganda and Zambia as well as many from DR Congo.

Among the Zambians are 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winners Stoppila Sunzu, Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala.

The match is a repeat of the 2011 African Super Cup game, a one-off between the Champions League and Confederation Cup title-holders.

Mazembe were taken to the wire at home in that encounter, winning 9-8 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.

But the Congolese are expected to do better at their new stadium in the southern mining city - a 25,000 seater with an artificial pitch.

Home advantage makes Bizertin slight favourites over Setif in a clash of clubs who conquered Africa 25 years ago.

Setif recovered from a first-leg loss to crush Iwuanyanwu Nationale - now Heartland - 4-1 overall and lift the African Champions Cup.

Bizertin also faced Nigerian opposition, edging Ranchers Bees 1-0 over two legs in the African Cup Winners Cup decider.

Saint George of Ethiopia and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia are away in Group A after making winning starts two weeks ago.

Omod Okury and Fitsum Gebrmariam scored the early and late goals as George defeated Stade Malien of Mali 2-0 in Addis Ababa.

And Ivorian Idrissa Kouyate netted the lone goal of a Tunisian derby against Etoile Sahel, who had Cameroonian Franck Kom sent off.

The 'Saints', the only contenders not to have won a CAF title, visit 2006 Confederation Cup winners Etoile Sahel of Tunisia.

Etoile play in Mediterranean resort Sousse, where they have won all six previous Confederation Cup mini-league games.

Shock 2009 title-holders Stade host Sfaxien, who one year earlier became the only club to successfully defend the trophy.


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Source: AAP


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