HOLDERS TP Mazembe moved within touching distance of a successful defence after a 5-0 victory over Esperance in Lubumbashi on Sunday in the 2010 Orange CAF Champions League final first leg. A brace each from strike-partners Ngandu Kasongo and Given Singuluma, and the other from playmaker Alain Kaluyitika was all Les Corbeaux needed to cruise to the famous victory, which puts them closest to their fourth title ahead of the second leg in Rades in a fortnight. The DR Congo champions lived up to expectations in front of a packed crowd at the Stade de la Kenya, in the mining town of Lubumbashi as they tore Esperance, winners in 1994, beyond recognition and also handed them one of their biggest losses in the history of the continental club championships. Both teams started very well only for a red card to Esperance defender Mohamed Ben Mansour on 24 minutes following an off-the- ball incident to shatter the game plan of the 'Blood and Gold'. Prior to that, Ngandu had set the tone for victory with the opener on 19 minutes by heading in from close range after the Esperance goalie was adjudged to have grabbed the ball outside the goal line. Mazembe took charge of the game and were rewarded a spot-kick on the stroke of half time after Kaluyituka was impeded in the penalty area by his marker. The attacking midfielder converted the spot- kick to give the hosts a 2-0 lead at half time. Esperance lost battle of the midfield after captain Oussama Darragi was substituted following the numerical disadvantage whilst burly striker Michael Eneramo was virtually a spectator upfront. The holders resumed more purposefully and Singuluma scored twice within a spate of four minutes to authenticate the lead. The Zambian forward scored the third goal on 55 minutes before completing his brace four minutes later. On 75 minutes, Ngandu completed the rout with the fifth goal whilst Esperance ambitions of even a consolation never saw the light of day. Esperance will have a high mountain to climb as they host the return encounter on 13 November in Rades. The winning club will go away with a monetary prize of $1,500,000 and a ticket to represent the continent at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in December.
