LUMBASHI-(MaraviPost)-A highly anticipated derby between TP Mazembe and FC Saint Eloi Lupopo was abandoned on Sunday,March 08,2026 after violent clashes erupted among supporters during the match in Lubumbashi.
The match, played at Stade TP Mazembe, had reached halftime with the score at 0-0 when tensions began to rise in the stands.
Supporters from the rival teams reportedly started arguing, which quickly escalated into violence.
According to reports from the stadium, the chaos was triggered by disagreements among fans over alleged use of traditional “black magic” or spiritual practices believed by some supporters to influence football matches.
Objects were thrown onto the pitch as sections of the crowd became uncontrollable.
The situation forced players and match officials to run back to the dressing rooms while security personnel attempted to restore order.
With the environment becoming increasingly unsafe, the referee decided to abandon the game before the second half could begin, bringing the much anticipated derby to a premature end.
The rivalry between TP Mazembe and FC Saint Eloi Lupopo is one of the fiercest in Congolese football. Both clubs are based in Lubumbashi and their encounters often attract thousands of passionate supporters.
Historically, matches between the two sides have sometimes been marred by crowd trouble.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred during a derby in 2001 when panic in the stadium led to a deadly stampede that claimed several lives.
Beliefs surrounding witchcraft and spiritual influence have occasionally surfaced in football across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In some cases, players or teams have been accused by rival supporters of using supernatural means to gain an advantage during matches.
A well known example occurred during the Linafoot competitions in the past, when fans invaded the pitch after accusing a player of using witchcraft to affect the outcome of a game.
Such beliefs, though widely debated, remain part of football folklore in parts of Central Africa and have occasionally fueled tensions between rival supporters.
Sunday’s incident once again highlighted the intensity surrounding one of the country’s biggest football rivalries and raised concerns about fan behavior and stadium safety.
