Mazembe and Vita Club will meet in the CAF Champions
League on Sunday, just two weeks after the death of 15 fans at their last
encounter.
In the final game of the Congolese domestic season on May
11, with away side Mazembe winning 1-0, home fans began throwing projectiles
onto the pitch.
Police moved in and fired tear gas to try to diffuse the
situation, but the fans panicked and began rushing towards the exits.
Fifteen people were killed in the crush, while 10 more
were injured, and CAF president Issa Hayatou passed on his condolences to those
affected by the tragedy.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy on
hearing of the untimely deaths of at least 15 people during the match of AS
Vita and TP Mazembe," he said.
"Personally, and on behalf of the members of the
African football community, I should be grateful if you could extend our
deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones."
Somehow, under the most difficult of circumstances, the
two will endeavour to play on this weekend, with Vita Club having won their
opening Group A fixture while Mazembe lost theirs.
Al Hilal, winners over Mazembe on matchday one, travel to
five-time winners Zamalek, who lost 2-1 to Vita Club on the opening day.
In Group B, the two sides who won their opening fixtures
go head-to-head as ES Setif welcome CS Sfaxien to Algeria.
Sfaxien saw off Al Ahli Benghazi 3-1, while Setif beat ES
Tunis 2-1, and both will be out to maintain their perfect start to the group
stages.
Benghazi welcome Tunis on matchday two, although the game
will take place in the El-Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman, Sudan, due to the
political situation in Libya.
Culled from Soccerway
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