Lubumbashi, DR Congo - Mulangu Bafwafwa scored in each half to earn TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo a 2-0 victory over Raja Casablanca of Morocco on Saturday in the African Champions League.
The tall striker used his head to stunning effect, scoring after seven and 67 minutes on a dusty, rock-hard Kenya Stadium pitch in the southern Congolese city.
A corner floated to the near post produced the first goal as Bafwafwa ran unopposed into the six-yard area and glided a header between a defender and goalkeeper Mohamed Bouabdeliaoui.
Raja came desperately to levelling twice on a hot, partly cloudy afternoon in Central Africa before Bafwafwa struck again, stooping to steer a Mpez Nawej cross across the goal and into the far corner of the net.
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Bitterly disappointing kick-and-rush fare The goal demoralised three-time champions Raja, who are coached by former Belgium international Walter Meeuws, and the 'Green Devils' never looked like salvaging even a draw before a capacity 40 000 crowd.
If Bafwafwa, 20, who failed to find the target in four qualifying matches against Defence Force of Lesotho and Orlando Pirates of South Africa was the hero, the pitch also played a crucial role in the outcome.
Unable to execute their normal passing game in sub-standard conditions, Raja were forced to play Mazembe-style route-one football and came off a poor second best.
While the Congolese are used to a pitch where the ball rarely runs true, the Raja players looked forlorn figures apart from a 10-minute spell during the second half.
Noureddine Kacemi was millimetres off target with a shot across goal that Mazembe custodian Muteba Kidiaba knew nothing about and defender Hicham Misbah went equally close with an even fiercer effort.
The only other occasion when the 1989, 1997 and 1999 African champions worried the local club was midway through the first half when Cameroonian striker Francois Endene held off a defender only to shoot timidly wide.
Bouabdeliaoui did well to hold a dipping drive from Mputu Mungonge through a crowd of players soon after, especially as the ball took an awkward bounce while he dived.
But while Lubumbashi prepared to celebrate, millions watching the match live on television around Africa must have been bitterly disappointed by the kick-and-rush fare dished up.
The other first-round Group A match, featuring defending champions Al-Ahly of Egypt against Jeanne d'Arc of Senegal at the Cairo Stadium, will be played later Saturday. - Sapa-AFP
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