TPM : NO FAVORS
Folder of postponed matches
November 16, 2012
The uninformed say TPM is on the basis of the schedule disruption of the Championship Division 1. They say it is due to the postponement accorded to Ravens because of their African campaign. One of our internet users has even made a list of matches involving TPM which, according to him, were postponed at the request of the Lubumbashi Team soccer. We opened the file.
Game after game, we had a look at our archives and questioned the Ravens Secretary. “We were forced to take some actions simply because Linafoot has built up its schedule regardless any reference of FIFA and CAF schedules. Linafoot scheduled some days at the time when our national team had mobilized players sometimes two or three days of the Champions League match! In such conditions, what do want us to do?” Adolph KABAMBA, the assistant Secretary immediately exclaimed and has enlightened us about the issue as follows:
Four Postponements under magnifying glass…
Let us begin by studying the four matches mentioned by our internet user.
- Day 2 / Sanga Balende – TPM (postponed twice): The match of February 19th postponed to March 4th for the international players were mobilized by their international match against Tanzania meantime preparing the game of Seychelles. Then the game of March 4th postponed once again postponed because players had just come back two days after the game Egypt – DRC
- Day 9 / TPM – Muungano: the game of May 20 postponed because the opponent could not move on the scheduled date.
- Day 16 / Muungano – TPM game of August 23rd: TPM had to play on 19 against Zamalek in Cairo.
- Day 21 / TPM – Sanga Balende (3rd postponement) game of October 10th: again postponed because international players were playing in Equatorial Guinea (Malabo) and they came back in Lubumbashi only the 15.
7 matches against Zambian teams
Some fans have criticized the club from Katanga for having preferred to play against Zambian teams instead of playing matches of Linafoot Championship. Three games against Zambian teams (Green Buffaloes 2 times and Zesco United) took place on 5, 8 and 12 February as part of the pre-season. The championship began on February 17th (match played against Tshinkunku) and the game was not modified.
Two other games in Zambia as part of the match TP Mazembe VS Saint Luke, originally scheduled on August 8, 2012. The Team from Kananga expressed its inability to reach Lubumbashi the day of the match. Mazembe was preparing its match against Zamlek, reacted and went to Zambia. The Ravens played two friendly games before going to Cairo. Later on Linafoot rescheduled the match with regard the failure of St Luc. It is clear that it’s not TPM that changed the schedule.
On July 28, TPM played against Zanaco at Kamalondo Stadium and no championship match was scheduled at that time and clubs were expecting the schedule of the Linafoot second leg.
Finally, TPM played another game with Red Arrows on August 25 in Lubumbashi. It was a non provided match because AS VUTUKA was unable to move.
Claims for legitimacy
Coming back from Accra after their match against Berekum Chelsea last 16, on board of their MD 83 Mazembe went to Kisangani and played against CS MAKISO on September 19. Under such conditions, why shall you tell us, after their game against Zamalek on August 19, did not TP Mazembe do the same, i.e.; to go straight to BUKAVU? The reason is simple, the airport of the Sud Kivu city does not good airport runway where jumbo can land off, in other words, large aircraft, and this is why the Ravens were forced to return to Lubumbashi in order to find another plane smaller than the previous one that can land in BUKAVU.
According to Adolph KABAMBA was right to approach Linafoot at the time its players were selected in national team and at the same time where three days before the Champions League, a match of the national championship was scheduled. Let us remind you how is the hierarchy regulation for African football: African Cup of Nation (CAN) – Champions League – Confederation Cup- Super-Cup – Division 1 (Linafoot) – Cup of Congo…
As you can see, TP Mazembe exercises only regulatory fees and did not receive any privilege as some malicious minds prentend. Without supporting their words …