The Crows have landed again, TP Mazembe

SQUAD

TP Mazembe

 

    It been 10 years since I really did justice to following the CAF Champions league from start to finish. Back in 2000 my beloved home club Accra Hearts of Oak conquered the continent in spectacular fashion with great away performances and the heroics of the then supernatural goalkeeping by Sammy Adjei as well as the the great partnership between Ishmael Addo and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour.
    In the 10 years of my exile from this incredibly difficult tournament, an old power on the African continental scene has woken from almost 40 years of hibernation and re-established its dominance. The great Congolese team that dominated the continent in the late 60s are back and are looking unstoppable. With 4 straight trips to the finals of the competition from 1967 to 1970, their might was unparalleled but as with many things in Africa somebody had to go and ruin it.
    I knew TP Mazembe won the competing in 2009 but I didn't follow the competition in depth. I haven't followed it this year either but I decided to at least watch the finals which I know are usually late in the year. Not only are these bad boys back in the final, they have already won the first leg 5-0. That is done and dusted if you ask me, so should I even bother watching the second leg? Of course I should, why would I miss an opportunity of history being rewritten. Having said that Esperance are no mugs and have dominated this same competition in the past, so I expect them to give a good account of themselves in redeeming some respect for the 0-5 away embarrassment.
     I look forward to seeing how a giant from 40 years ago becomes a giant in the modern era with the following thoughts in mind:
What does the success of TP Mazembe mean for Congolese football?
Will the Congo National team be able to break this Egypt-West African strong hold on the Nations Cup?
Are we about to see the next big African name in Europe break the recent trend?
Which players will stand out?
Can the grab the opportunity to shine in the FIFA World Club Cup?
Anything else to look out for.................?

Ps. Hope all can see the striking identification with the Old Lady in Turin

CAF Orange African Champions League Final Second Leg
November 13th 2010
Esperance (Tunisia) - TP Mazembe (Congo)