Many European football clubs own private jets. They are critical for the movement of players and staff, without relying on chattered flight.
However, owning a jet is a pricey affair. This explains why not every soccer club on the planet has one. In Africa for instance, where most clubs still grapple with financial challenges, including salaries, owning a jet remains a dream for the majority of the teams.
Chattered flights are common when clubs have international fixtures. But for TP Mazembe, the situation is different. The club has the bragging rights of owning private jets.
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The Congolese football club is the only African football team that owns two private jets.
TP Mazembe are considered among the most successful football clubs on the continent.
The first jet that the club acquired was a German-made Dornier 128 utility aircraft meant for its officials.
In September 2011, the club later went for a 140-seater McDonnell Douglas MD-80, which includes a 16-seat VIP Lounge.
According to the Club's president Moïse Katumbi Chapwe they acquired the two jets to solve the team's challenges relating to transport.
He noted that the team was once left stranded due to lack of flights after being eliminated from a tournament. This, according to Chapwe, prompted them to consider purchasing the jets.
The club's president served as the Governor of Katanga Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from 2007 to September 2015.
The Congolese club has won Africa's Champions League title on five occasions and has been crowned Confederation Cup kings twice.
TP Mazembe also hit international headlines at the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup after handing a defeat to Brazilian Club Internacional.
In addition, after purchasing the second aircraft, they became the first African club to own a fleet of personal aircrafts.
They are currently at the top of the table with 45 points in 17 matches as they continue to defend their title.
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