Confed Cup final: Mazembe grab advantage against Bejaia
TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo took a big step towards winning the African Confederation Cup after drawing 1-1 at Mouloudia Bejaia of Algeria in the first leg of the final last Saturday.
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Jonathan Bolingi, one of four Congolese players in the Mazembe starting line-up, converted a late first-half penalty to give the visitors an away goal and a 1-0 half-time lead in Blida.
Bejaia captain Faouzi Yaya equalised in the second half from a free-kick to keep the Algerians in the final.
New Algeria coach Georges Leekens (from Belgium) was among a large, noisy crowd in the 37,000-capacity stadium as Bejaia dominated early territory and possession.
Mouloudia, competing in a continental cup final for the first time, had a chance to take the lead on 20 minutes when they got behind the Mazembe defence.
But Betorangal only got a timid poke at a low cross and goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo smothered the ball.
Mazembe went ahead on 43 minutes after sloppy defending by Sofiane Baouali allowed Roger Assale to break through and he was fouled by goalkeeper Chamseddine Rahmani.
Bolingi, the son of a former DR Congo goalkeeper, scored his fourth Confederation Cup goal of the season with a spot-kick into the corner of the net.
The second leg is next Sunday in Congolese mining city Lubumbashi and a goalless draw will be enough to give Mazembe the trophy for the first time after finishing runners-up three seasons ago.
Although Mazembe have won five African Champions League crowns, French coach Hubert Velud discarded the tag of favourites before the first leg.