TP Mazembe of Congo DR, who claimed Africa’s Champions League crown, heads into the 12th International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Club World Cup finals competition on a high after enjoying a victorious year. This Africa club championship team wants to prove a point for the continent in Japan when the event kicks off December 10-20, 2015.
In 2010 TP Mazembe came close to lifting the cup in the seventh edition of the championship when they defeated South America’s Internacional of Brazil in the semi-finals. The were however unable to pass the finals, as they lost 3–0 to Italy’s Internazionale who represented Europe in that event hosted by the United Arab Emirates from December 8-18, 2010.
TP Mazembe have vowed this time round to walk into the event with the same spirit they had in them at the 2010 finals, only this time they are looking to win first place for Africa.
Wikipedia photo showing locations of 2015 FIFA Club World Cup teamsMazembe are 5 time African Cup of Champions Clubs (CAF Champions League) winners, won the African Cup Winners’ Cup once in 1980 and the CAF Super Cup back to back from 2010 to 2011 among other local and continental honors.
Moroccan club Raja Casablanca like TP Mazembe also came close in 2013 to winning the FIFA Club World Cup when their efforts were scuppered by German club Bayern Munich who defeated them as hosts of the event by 2-0 in the finals. The Germans represented Europe.
Morocco had another chance as hosts again in 2014 but their club Moghreb Atlético Tetuán didn’t make it past the play-off. Spain’s Real Madrid defeated Argentina’s San Lorenzo 2-0 to win the event at the Stade de Marrakech in Marrakesh, Morocco.
This FIFA world soccer governing body event which started in 2000 was first hosted and won by Brazilian club Corinthians who bounced back in 2012 to win the tournament again for Brazil after defeating Chelsea by a lone goal in Japan. Before that, two other Brazilian clubs; São Paulo and Internacional won in 2005 and 2006.
Find out more about the 2015 tournament in Japan as captured by FIFA in this link.
Source: Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
