Saint Eloi Lupopo vs TP Mazembe Match Recap - Nov 2, 2025

In a thrilling encounter at the Stade de la Victoire on November 2, Saint Eloi Lupopo stunned TP Mazembe with a 2-1 victory, marking an impressive turnaround in their Ligue 1 campaign. The win not only brought Saint Eloi Lupopo their first three points of the season but also sent shockwaves through the current standings, pushing them up to fifth place.

Both teams entered the match with momentum; Saint Eloi Lupopo, after a narrow 1-0 victory over CS Manika, was looking to build on that success. In contrast, TP Mazembe had just claimed a decisive 3-1 win against the same opponents. Expectations were high for TP Mazembe as they aimed to keep pace at the top of the table. However, today's match reminded everyone that anything can happen in football.

The game got off to a bright start for Saint Eloi Lupopo when they scored first. Just before halftime, a well-executed play led to striker Jean-Marc Makusu finding the back of the net, igniting celebrations among home fans. With this goal, Makusu demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the key players in this squad. His ability to convert opportunities has often been critical for the team.

However, TP Mazembe responded quickly and effectively after half-time. An energized performance saw them equalize shortly after the restart. Their star forward Jackson Muleka kept his scoring form alive by converting from close range, putting pressure back on Saint Eloi Lupopo and shifting momentum in favor of TP.

But today was not meant to be for TP Mazembe. Just minutes later, Saint Eloi Lupopo struck again, reclaiming their lead with another goal from Makusu-his second of the match and what proved crucial in securing all three points. This time it was a powerful header that left TP's goalkeeper with little chance of making a save.

As time wound down, TP Mazembe pushed hard to find an equalizer once more but struggled against a resolute defensive display from Saint Eloi Lupopo. The visitors were frustrated throughout by clever tactics and determined defending that exemplified their willingness to fight for every inch on the pitch.

Reflecting on my pre-match assessment where I expressed confidence in TP Mazembe's attacking prowess due to recent performances, it seems I may have underestimated how well Saints could disrupt their rhythm today. While I predicted an aggressive start by both sides-with potential fireworks-it turned into a day dominated by resilience from Saint Eloi Lupopo instead.

This unexpected result boosts Saint Eloi Lupopo's confidence significantly as they prepare to face FC Tshikas next week while keeping them firmly in contention as they now sit fifth with three points from one match played. For TP Mazembe, this defeat serves as a reality check ahead of their clash against Sanga Balende; they remain second but will need to regroup quickly if they wish to maintain serious title aspirations so early in this campaign.

Overall, today's match showcased football's unpredictability and reaffirmed that each match is an opportunity-especially in competitive leagues like Ligue 1 where every point counts tremendously toward championship ambitions.