TP Mazembe won the title in 2009, which was their third title overall after winning it 1967 and 1968 when it was called the African Cup of Champions Clubs. Espérance entered the Champions league for the first time since 2005. In 1994 they won their only title so far.
Both teams met in the Group stage, with each victorious in their home matches - Mazembe winning 2–1, while Espérance won 3–0. Both teams qualified for the semifinals on the second-last matchday.
In the semifinals Mazembe defeated the Algerian side (and Group Stage winner) JS Kabylie 3–1 on aggregate, winning the first leg at home by that score, with the second leg ending in a scoreless draw.[2]
Espérance faced Al-Ahly from Egypt and lost the first leg 2–1 away from home. In need of a win in the second leg, Espérance were victorious 1–0 and reached the final on the away goals rule.[3]
Venues[]
Frédéric-Kibassa-Maliba Stadium[]
Stade de la Kenya in Lubumbashi, DR Congo hosted the first leg.
Stade Frédéric-Kibassa-Maliba, also known as Stade de la Kenya, is a multi-use stadium located in the Kenya suburb of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the current home of FC Saint Eloi Lupopo and the former home venue of TP Mazembe. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 people and is named after Frederic Kibassa Maliba, a former Minister of Youth and Sports.
7 November Stadium[]
7 November Stadium in Radès, Tunisia hosted the second leg.
7 November Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Radès, Tunisia about 10 kilometers south-east of the city center of Tunis, in the center of the Olympic City. It is currently used mostly for football matches and it also has facilities for athletics. The stadium holds 60,000 and was built in 2001 for the 2001 Mediterranean Games and is considered to be one of the best stadiums in Africa. The stadium was built for the 2001 Mediterranean Games, the 60,000-seat covered area covers 13,000 m2 and consists of a central area, 3 adjoining grounds, 2 warm-up rooms, 2 paintings and an official stand of 7,000 seats. The press gallery is equipped with 300 desks.
The final was decided over two legs, with aggregate goals used to determine the winner. If the sides were level on aggregate after the second leg, the away goals rule would have been applied, and if still level, the tie would have proceeded directly to a penalty shootout (no extra time is played).[4]
TP Mazembe
Espérance de Tunis
APR
ASFA Yennega
Djoliba
Al-Merreikh
JS Kabylie
Al-Ahly
19', 75'
75
75
24
62