It was a first experience which would end well for the Congolese champions as they lifted the trophy in an unlikely fashion.
After drawing the two legs of the final against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, Caf settled upon a one-off playoff to be conducted in a neutral venue (Cameroon) to decide who won the title.
TPM had got their hands on African gold, albeit by default.
The year after that, the new African kings were on the road to defend their title and become the first club to retain Africa’s biggest club tournament.
It was an adventure which started in Ivory Coast against Africa Sports, before Oryx Douala were devoured 5-0 in the quarter-finals.
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CHAN 2009 - First Joy for the Leopards
The 2009 African Nations Championship was the first edition of the tournament designed exclusively for the footballers who play in their domestic leagues. It took place in Cote dâIvoire from 22 February to 8 March 2009 with eight teams taking place in the finals. Thirty (30) teams played in the qualifiers that were played on Zonal basis.
The finals saw the eight teams divided on two groups. Group A had the hosts Cote dâIvoire, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia, while Group B included DR Congo, Ghana, Libya and Zimbabwe.
The opening game was marked by the first hat-trick in the competitionâs history, scored by Zambiaâs Given Singuluma as they defeated hosts Cote dâIvoire 3-0. Zambia went to top Group A on five points, same as Senegal as they both reached the semifinals.
Congolese side became first African team to progress beyond the semi-finals
Isaac Kasongo looks back on that joyful episode
There are certain celebrations that become etched into the memories of football fans everywhere. Like Marco Tardelli sprinting with outstretched arms in the Final of the FIFA World Cup™ 1982, and Bebeto pretending to rock the baby in 1994. Like Fabio Grosso letting it all out at World Cup 2006, or even a dumbstruck Lilian Thuram seemingly unable to grasp the enormity of his brace in the semi-final of the World Cup in 1998.
And how could we forget the joyous dances performed by the players of TP Mazembe – and above all their goalkeeper, Robert Kidiaba – when the Congolese side qualified for the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2010, ten years ago today?