The 19-year-old Malian striker scored the only goal in the match played this Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar Es Salaam between the Congolese club and Esperance of Tunis, in the quarter-final first leg of the African Football League.

Faced with a Tunisian team in great form since the start of the season, the task did not look easy for the Almighty Mazembe, deprived in addition to hosting the game in its lair of Lubumbashi. The Ravens, often deprived of the ball by a very playful Espérance de Tunis, still managed to secure the essentials, thanks to Cheick Oumar Fofana, author of the only goal of the game in the 11th minute.

Esperance starts the match off to a flying start. Congolese goalkeeper Baggio Siadi must quickly shine by repelling an instant volley from Oussama Bougera upon receiving a cross from the right side (6th).

The Congolese reaction did not take long. On a corner played at Reims by Keita, Kinzumbi places the ball on the head of the young Malian Cheick Oumar Fofana who deceives the Memmiche goalkeeper for the opener (11th). If TP Mazembe takes the advantage a little against the flow of play, the debate is subsequently rebalanced between two teams who go blow for blow. Well served in the penalty area, Kebba Sowe misses the equalizer by getting in the way when he takes his shot (43rd). Lamine N'Diaye and his men maintained their lead at the break.

Returning from the locker room, Esperance continues to push. Coming into play a few minutes earlier, Brazilian striker Yan Sasse found the net following a nice combination with Rodriguez in the area (63rd ) . But an offside is signalled by the VAR at the start of the action. Tarek Thabet's men do not disarm. They maintain crazy pressure in attack, however, exposing themselves to Congolese counterattacks. Twice, Philippe Kinzumbi managed to overtake the Sang et Or defence before seeing his shot repelled by the Memmiche goalkeeper well in place (65th and 75th ).

1-0, final score. A slight lead for the Lubumbashi club before the return match scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Radés Olympic Stadium.