Club Spotlight: TP Mazembe Will Fly Africa's Flag High At FIFA Club World Cup

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Newly-crowned African champions Tout Puissant Mazembe will be in Abu Dhabi next month for the FIFA Club World Cup. Armed with an exciting brand of attacking football, do not expect the African outfit to be intimidated by the likes of Barcelona and Argentina's Estudiantes.

First known as TP Englebert, the club was formed 70 years ago by Benedictine monks and became the first team to successfully defend the African title in 1969 and the record was not equalled until 2004 when Nigeria's Enyimba matched the feat.

Les Corbeaux, or the Crows, have been regular international campaigners since, but the closest they came to completing a title hat-trick was in 2002 when they lost to eventual winners Zamalek of Egypt in the semi-finals.

Their resurgence has been facilitated by club president and governor of the mineral-rich Katanga Province, Moise Katumbi. The 45-year-old businessman and politician has invested heavily to make Mazembe a lot more competitive abroad.

"Bit by bit, we are making our march towards the land of the greats. Our modest success is as a result of hard work at the base. Our luck stems from the fact that we were able to keep these youths. They are together on the field and that is why they have great solidarity among them," said Katumbi, trying to explain the recipe for the club's success.

"Our annual budget this year is $5 million as against $3.6 million the previous season. The least salary is $5,000 a year and with bonuses many have already had up to $80,000.

"Our income is meagre, but for the image of the club, for the image of the country and to give an opportunity for our youth, we decided to stay on because it is not the politician who is speaking, but a man with unrivalled passion for the game."

French coach Diego Garzitto was hired this year as part of a $5 million plan by the football-mad Katumbi to rule Africa again.

Mazembe provided 11 players in the DR Congo squad that clinched the maiden Championship of African Nations (CHAN) trophy in the Ivory Coast in March. This was a great advertisement for the abundance of talent on the domestic scene in Congo.

They parade a solid defence, which though have to be less cynical if they are not to be punished by referees for some over-the-top tackles that often go unnoticed in the African game.

It is in midfield and attack that they are at their best with skipper Tresor Mputu Mabi the star of this team. He joined Mazembe in 2003 and scored seven goals in the run-up to their Champions League conquest. He was picked as the Most Valuable Player as DR Congo clinched the maiden edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) exclusively for players featuring in their various domestic leagues.

The highly-rated TP Mazembe captain is now expected to move overseas after fulfilling his promise to win the CAF Champions League for Les Corbeaux. He has previously turned down several offers to play in Europe because he said he wanted to help TP Mazembe to land the CAF Champions League.
 
The midfielder, who is reportedly one of the best paid players on the continent with a monthly salary of about $10,000, will be 24-years-old by the time the Club World Club kicks off in Abu Dhabi.

Against Heartland, Mputu grabbed the all-important goal away in Nigeria and in the return leg final, he led from the front line as Mazembe finally breached the defence of the visitors with 17 minutes left on the clock to land their third African championship.

Fellow midfielder Kaluyituka Dioko finished as top scorer of the 2009 Champions League with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 massacre of Zimbabwe's Monomotapa.

Zambia international striker Given Singuluma joined up in the summer after speculations about his destination, while experienced goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba has provided stability at the back for the new African kings.  

Al Ahly of Egypt have thus far posted the best African performance at the FIFA Club World Cup after they finished third three years ago in Yokohama, Japan.

Mazembe are capable of equalling that feat, and with a little bit of Mputu magic, Les Corbeaux could even surpass that milestone in Abu Dhabi next month.

They could also do with the extra cash this annual tournament offers.

Samm Audu, Goal.com