Medeama SC’s return to the CAF Champions League has come to an early end after TP Mazembe secured a 4-1 aggregate victory in the first preliminary round.
The Congolese giants completed the job with a 3-1 win over the Ghanaian champions in the second leg in Lubumbashi, following their narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa.
Medeama had entered the second leg with a slim deficit after Lise Nyembo Ntumba scored in the 86th minute of the opening encounter. The late goal proved decisive, leaving the Ghanaian side with the difficult task of overturning the result on Mazembe’s home ground.
Despite their efforts to stay alive in the competition, Medeama were unable to produce the comeback they needed. Mazembe took control of the tie and secured their place in the second preliminary round.
The early elimination will come as a disappointment to Medeama, particularly because of the club’s memorable Champions League campaign in the 2023-24 season.
On that occasion, Medeama overcame Nigeria’s Remo Stars on penalties after the two sides recorded identical 1-0 victories in their respective home matches.
That success earned Medeama a historic place in the Champions League group stage for the first time.
They were drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad and Young Africans. Medeama announced their presence with a 2-1 home victory over Belouizdad in Kumasi, before securing a 1-1 draw against Young Africans.
However, defeats away from home ultimately prevented them from progressing to the knockout stage.
This latest campaign was expected to provide Medeama with an opportunity to build on that experience after winning the 2025-26 Ghana Premier League title.
Instead, they faced one of the toughest possible opponents in the opening round.
Mazembe’s continental pedigree proved crucial, with the Congolese club bringing considerable experience from their long history of success in African football.
For Medeama, the campaign highlights the fine margins involved at the highest level of African club competition.
Their previous Champions League adventure showed they could compete with some of the continent’s leading clubs over an extended group-stage campaign. This time, however, two matches were enough to bring their hopes to an end.
Medeama will now shift their focus back to domestic football, with the club needing to use the experience of the Mazembe tie as preparation for future continental challenges.
