
Their excitement tangible at the possibility of repeating their 2010 heroics and, at least, reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015, TP Mazembe touched down in Osaka this Tuesday and have immediately immersed themselves in the competition – to the extent of having already completed their first training session on Japanese soil.
The DR Congo outfit trained at Minami Tsumori Sakura Park on Wednesday evening with a view to their tournament opener, set to take place on Sunday 13 December in Osaka against the winner of Thursday 10 December’s clash between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Auckland City FC.
Spurring them on are memories of their feats five years ago, when they shocked then Libertadores holders Internacional de Porto Alegre in the last four to reach the final, where they were beaten by Inter Milan.