TP Mazembe recorded a resounding 5-0 win in the first leg of the 2010 Caf Champions League final against Esperance in Lubumbashi on Sunday.

Mazembe fans ecstatic in home win over Esperance

An early but contentious goal from midfielder Kasango Ngandu in the 18th minute turned out to be ‘a tip of the iceberg’ of what was to ensure at the Stade de la Kenya.

Perhaps poetic justice as the Esperance players protested the ball didn’t cross the line. They had qualified to play in the finals by a ‘hand goal’ against Egyptian club Al Ahli.

Esperance’s Mohammed Mansour recieved his marching orders 24 minutes in the game for an off the ball incident which prompted a little riot by the visitors which held up the game for several minutes.

Their plight were worsened upon resumption when striker Alain Kaluyituka expertly converted a spot kick on 44 minutes  sending the packed stadium agog as the teams entered the dressing room for half time.

Esperance delayed in coming out for the second half and they were duly punished as Given Singulima headed home from the near post in the 56th minute to make it 3-0.

Rubbing more salt in the wounds of the visitors, Singuluma grabbed his brace just two minutes after scoring his first.

Kasango got in the act by also grabbing his brace on 75 minutes before being replaced by Kanda.

The Congolese side at this point were in full control of proceedings cutting the impressive defensive record of their visitors in tatters. And so it ended.

At 5-0, it would take a miracle to deny the Congolese retaining the title they won last season even with though second leg is in Tunis.

Les Corbeaux (The Crows) are very much on track to making history as the first team to win this competition back-to-back twice after they first successfully defended their continental crown in 1968.