TP Mazembe team: poor showing in Japan

TP Mazembe, African representatives at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, lost the battle to claim the fifth place at the championship this morning, going down 1-2, to Club America from Mexico.

All the goals were scored in the first half, with Club America logging two goals  within 28 minutes, while Mazembe’s Kalaba reduced the deficit by a goal in the 43 minute.

Mazembe had lost their quarter final match at the competition 0-3 to San Frecce Hiroshima on Sunday and the second match today was supposed to offer some sop.

But Dario Benedetto and Martin Zuniga did not allow that as they  helped Club America to the 2-1 win  at Osaka Nagai Stadium.

Ignacio Aguilar’s side came into the match also hurting following their last-minute loss against Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarter-finals, while Patrice Carteron was looking for a vast improvement from the CAF Champions League winners who were well below par in their 3-0 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

The game took some time to get going with Daniel Adjei’s deflected shot in the 12th minute heralding the start of a flurry of chances. Then a minute later, Oribe Peralta had two excellent chances to score within a matter of seconds. First, Sylvain Gbohouo blocked his initial attempt from close range and then he headed over Benedetto’s inch-perfect cross from the rebound.

Club America players rejoice after the second goal

However, the Crows failed to give up and almost pulled one back ten minutes before half-time when Patient Mwepu rattled the crossbar with a fine left-footed drive from 30 yards.

Both keepers made fine saves as the half drew to a close. The Africans were grateful to Gbohouo again as he showed great agility to turn away Osvaldo Martinez’s cheeky chip, while Club America captain Moises Munoz was at full stretch to tip Mbwana Samatta’s free-kick over the bar.

Two minutes before the interval, Patrice Carteron’s side forced their way back into the encounter. Munoz spilled Samatta’s strike and Rainford Kalaba was on hand to sidefoot home.

*with reports by FIFA.com