TP MAZEMBE BID FOR SUCCESS AT THE CLUB WORLD CUP

African champions TP Mazembe take on Pachuca at the Club World Cup

African champions TP Mazembe take on Pachuca of Mexico at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

The winners of the match will go through to the semi-finals and a game against Internacional of Brazil.

Mazembe are making their second appearance at the event and are keen to improve on their disappointing performance last year.

“They let themselves down, the Congolese people and all of Africa,” coach Lamine N'Diaye said.

N'Diaye himself took over the club only in September and led Mazembe as they retained their African continental title last month.

His team are at the end of a marathon year in which they have played more than 60 matches, including 14 games across the continent in their African Champions League campaign.

The Congolese side are still without star striker Tresor Mputu Mabi and Basisila Lusadisu, who are serving lengthy bans following a scuffle during a match in Rwanda earlier this year

But Zambian striker Given Singuluma and DR Congo star Alain Kaluyituka have provided plenty of goals for the team in Mabi's absence.

Their opponents on Friday, Pachuca of Mexico, have been to the Club World Cup three times and N'Diaye admitted that they have more experience than his team but insisted that Mazembe are ready.

“We have done our research on the Mexicans and we believe we know them well,” he said.