Medeama SC were left heartbroken at the TnA Stadium after a late TP Mazembe strike turned a promising night into a painful defeat. The Ghanaian champions matched the Congolese giants for much of the contest, only to fall 1-0 with just three minutes of normal time remaining.
The first half showed why both sides were expected to produce a tight contest. Mazembe threatened first when Chadrack Bingi-Belo rose to meet a free-kick in the 33rd minute, but his header went straight at Medeama goalkeeper Felix Kyei.
Medeama soon found their own opening. Dominic Amponsah had a chance from close range, but Marc Diouf stood tall in the Mazembe goal and produced a fine save to keep the visitors level.
Kyei then had his own moment of brilliance before half-time. The Medeama goalkeeper made a spectacular stop to deny Josue Kazema in the 43rd minute, sending the teams into the break with the score still locked at 0-0.
Medeama came out with greater purpose after the restart. Emmanuel Annor went close in the 64th minute, but Diouf again made the crucial intervention as the visitors continued to survive under pressure.
The match looked destined for a goalless finish. Instead, Mazembe found the opening they needed in the 87th minute when substitute Lise Ntumba Nyembo finished a swift counter-attack to silence the Tarkwa crowd.
Medeama pushed forward in search of an instant response, but Mazembe held firm until the final whistle. The result is harsh on the Ghanaian champions, who created chances and defended with discipline for long periods.
Now comes the bigger test. Medeama must overturn a one-goal deficit in Lubumbashi next week, where the pressure will be greater and the margin for error even smaller.
