CAF CL: Mazembe out to eliminate Esperance

TP Mazembe will face off with Esperance de Tunis in the CAF Champions League semifinal second-leg match at the Stade TP Mazembe in DR Congo on Saturday.

The Ravens succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Esperance in the first-leg encounter which was played in Tunisia last weekend.

Mazembe, who have won the Champions League five times, will be looking to overturn the deficit and go on to clinch their sixth title this season.

The DR Congolese giants will look to their accomplished star forward Tresor Mputu Mabi, who has netted five goals in the competition.

Mazembe, who are under the guidance of Kazembe Mihayo, will be without Kabaso Chongo with the Zambian midfielder having been sent off in the first-leg clash.

Meanwhile, Esperance are in control of the tie and they will look to avoid a defeat in order to qualify for the final.

The defending champions, who have won the tournament three times, are hoping to go all the way and lift their fourth trophy this year.

The Tunisian giants' dangerman is Taha Yassine Khenissi, who is one of the most lethal strikers on the continent.

Esperance head coach Moine Chaabani is expecting a difficult encounter in the second-leg encounter.

"We haven’t conceded any goal, and that’s very important. The qualification comes from the second leg game. This is the Champions League semifinal, the games are not going to be easy," Chabaani said.

The winner on aggregate between Mazembe and Esperance will take on Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca or South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.