Malawian footballers Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma have successfully won the Democratic Republic of Congo Linafoot League with TP Mazembe, marking a significant milestone in their international careers.
Mazembe, one of Africa’s most successful clubs, secured their record extending 21st league title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Céleste FC.
The win secured not only the championship but also guaranteed their qualification for the 2026/27 Caf Champions League.
A penalty converted in the first half and a strike from Faveurdi Bongeli in the second half sealed the triumph, marking Mazembe’s return to the elite continental competition after their absence last season.
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Alongside Mazembe, Les Aigles secured the second qualifying spot for the Champions League after finishing runners up in the playoffs.
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Speaking to Times Sport, both players expressed their elation at winning the championship in a foreign country and their excitement about returning to continental competition.
“I am happy to have won the league in a foreign country; it is something we have been dreaming of.
Coming from home and playing here, you always want to perform well. We missed the championship last year due to a points deduction, which kept us out of the continental competitions.
“Now we will be playing in the Champions League, which elevates our profile as players. It is a great achievement, and we are encouraging each other every day. Mazembe is a big team, but we worked hard because we know what we came here to accomplish,” Nkhoma said.
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Mwaungulu echoed the sentiments, reflecting on the team’s progress.
“In our first year, we did not perform as well as we hoped, but this season we worked hard to win the league. The early challenges were difficult—adjusting to a new country, culture, and environment takes time.
“However, we have now adapted well and understand the local culture, which has significantly improved our performances. The prospect of returning to the Champions League and competing against top teams from different continents is incredibly exciting,” Mwaungulu said.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said the significance of the achievement for Malawian football.
“This is a tremendous boost for these players.
They will carry this confidence into the national team, and we’ve been waiting years for players to achieve success at this level abroad. Joseph Kamwendo did it before them, and now Mwaungulu and Nkhoma are following suit. The confidence they have built here will have a psychological impact on their teammates as they prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in
September,” Chinyama said.
Mwaungulu and Nkhoma joined TP Mazembe in 2024 but were initially loaned to Don Bosco due to Mazembe’s registration restrictions.
They returned to the club in 2025 and have since become integral players for the five-time Caf Champions League winners, demonstrating their value to one of Africa’s most decorated football institutions.
