Medeama SC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to TP Mazembe in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa on Sunday.
The Ghanaian champions put up a determined performance against the experienced Congolese side and looked set to secure at least a draw before a late goal changed the outcome.
TP Mazembe created the first clear opportunity of the game in the 33rd minute when Chadrack Bingi-Belo rose to meet a free-kick inside the Medeama penalty area.
His header, however, lacked power and direction, allowing goalkeeper Felix Kyei to make a comfortable save.
Medeama soon responded with a good chance of their own. Dominic Amponsah found space inside the box and attempted to beat TP Mazembe goalkeeper Marc Diouf from close range, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep out the effort.
Kyei was also forced to make an important save shortly before halftime when he denied Josue Kazema in the 43rd minute. His intervention ensured the teams went into the break level.
Medeama returned for the second half with greater urgency as they searched for the opening goal.
Their best opportunity after the break came in the 64th minute when Emmanuel Annor struck from inside the penalty area. Once again, Diouf was equal to the effort, producing another important save to keep TP Mazembe in the game.
Just when the match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, TP Mazembe delivered a late blow.
Three minutes before the end of normal time, the visitors launched a quick counter-attack that caught the Medeama defence exposed. Substitute Lise Ntumba Nyembo took advantage of the opening and scored the only goal of the match.
Medeama pushed forward in search of an equaliser but could not find a way past the Mazembe defence before the final whistle.
The result means Medeama will need to win in the return leg in Lubumbashi next week to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive and advance to the next stage.
