With the DRC’s Simbas finishing third on the podium at AFCON ‘98, the biennial competition returned to fiery atmosphere and ebullient stadia in 2000. From this first millennium, it ought to be remembered that the national team, under various names, reached AFCON semi-finals in 1968 in Ghana, 1972 in Cameroon, and 1974 in Egypt. Two continental titles won in 1968 and in 1974 in Egypt, have crowned the national team’s brilliance.
It is worth noting that the first millennium was marked by rhapsodies and marvels of a certain Ndaye Mulamba, alias “Mutumbula (Ghost), Volvo, etc.” This goal scorer bought from the Union Sportive Tshinkunku Nsanga Bilembi in Kasai Central Province (formerly Kasai Occidental), is eminently one of the architects of the AS Vita Club (V Club) notoriety. In 1973, Ndaye was among the Greens and Blacks starting eleven who had reached the pinnacle of performance by winning their only title in the Champions League (formerly called the African Cup of Champions Clubs -CACC, renamed Champions League in 1996); Ashanti Kotoko from Kumasi in Ghana paid the price 3-0 (a brace from Mayanga and a goal by Kembo) at the Stade du 20 mai in the second leg. A year later, in 1974 at the Egyptian AFCON, Ndaye scored an answered 9 goals whopping to become the tournament top scorer. Since then, no other African player has managed to beat this record, which still stands despite the upward review of number of national teams qualified for AFCON finals. Even at 24 today, compared to 8 teams at AFCON 1974 in Egypt, Ndaye remains the best scorer of all time in a single AFCON edition. For all the AFCONs taken as a whole, top scorers are Samuel Eto’O Fils and the late Laurent Mpoku who have more impressive tallies and still hold the palm; 29 goals and 13 goals respectively.. The increase in the number of qualified teams at AFCON has led to the increase in the number of matches; this bonus still struggles to favour a player who would distinguish himself by scoring more than 9 goals in an AFCON finals and break the record invincibility demons, which is still held by the former Zairian/Congolese firebrand. Certainly, records are made to be broken, but Ndaye didn’t live long enough to see his own dethroned from the pedestal. South African Benny McCarthy had dreamt of rewriting this page in 1998 in Burkina Faso, but he stopped short of two goal behind the true holder. Ndaye passed on to join his ancestors on January 26, 2019, in Johannesburg, where he was hospitalized for appropriate medical care. Upon the repatriation of his mortal remains, Volvo was posthumously made a Knight of the National Order by the new government. It is therefore worth reiterating that the 1974 AFCON finals, won by the DRC and its top scorer, Ndaye, is the only one to have been played over two matches, as previously explained in the first part of this publication.
The new millennium’s first AFCON began in 2000; Zimbabwe won the rights to host this first football event of the new millennium. Also, the second time that Southern Africa could have hosted it after South Africa in 1996. Due to delays in the construction and renovation of stadia by Robert Mugabe’s government, CAF withdrew their rights. Finally, the 2000 AFCON finals was jointly hosted by Ghana and Nigeria – a first in the history of world football for a major football competition to be jointly hosted by two nations, although after the 2000 AFCON, Euro 2000 (hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands) and the 2002 FIFA World Cup (hosted by Japan and South Korea) did follow in the footsteps of the pioneer.
DRC’s 12th participation in an AFCON Finals, was made possible by having finished second in Group 6 behind Zambia and ahead of Madagascar and Kenya in the qualifiers, Tokala Nkombe – Sinda Dinzey, Bakasu Esele, Yuvuladio Kitulele, Kasongo Kabwe – Kasongo Banza, Nsilulu Makaya, Mangituka Missilou, Mbungu Mputu – Yemweni Ngindi, Nsilulu Makaya, Roger Babu, and Emeka Esanga Mamale formed the core team. Medard Lusadisu Basilua was the head coach in the coaching staff. Mulekelayi Kanku, hailing from Sa Majesté Sanga Balende wa Banjelo ni Ba Santu of Mbuji-Mayi, was the only Congolese player selected from the province (Kasai Oriental). These Simbas were in Group B with South Africa, Algeria, and Gabon.
On January 24, 2000, at Kumasi Sports Stadium, DRC drew with Algeria in front of 7,000 spectators; a meager figure that justified the coldness of this game. Three days later, South African striker Shaun Bartlett condemned Simbas to remain in their den, 1-0 being the final score in favour of Bafana Bafana. Simbas’ crimson performance was the reason for their poor performance on the last day of the group matches against Azingo Stars of Gabon (renamed the Panthers). The two teams separated with a goalless draw and were eliminated. Two draws and a defeat, it was time for Simbas captain Tokala Nkombe to return home with his family of players and watch the rest of the tournament on the small screen like the rest of the Congolese – no quarter-finals for former Zaire. The national team had fallen back into its old ways by exiting the 2000 African Cup of Nations early, with zero goals scored and a dismal third-place finish after the group stage, which meant elimination in the first round.
DRC returned to the 2002 African Cup of Nations finals in Mali! With Médard Lusadisu dismissed, it was the late Louis Watunda, the man entrusted with the mission of transforming Simbas. Watunda was behind the euphoric bronze medal triumph four years ago in Burkina Faso ’98. If Tokala, Yuvuladio, Mulekayi Kanku… returned to the Malian AFCON after the 2000 one in Nigeria and Ghana, new Simbas had arrived in the den – Shabani Nonda, who plighted his trade at Louis II Stadium with Monaco, Trésor Lualua, recruited from Colchester in the Championship (Division Lower than the Premier League at the time) by the Magpies of Newcastle as a backup to their star striker Alan Shearer at Saint James Park, as well as Jason Mayele from Chievo Verona in Italy. Before landing in Sikasso where Group C (Simbas group) was based, Simbas had scared congolese against Chad in the preliminaries; they got the better of the Chadian Sao by the away goal rule. In the qualifiers, Simbas collected 10 points behind Zambia during the campaign – a ticket to the 2002 African Cup of Nations finals.
Before setting their sights on the next round of this competition, Simbas had to sharpen their skills against Cameroon, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. It was not an easy task, as from the outset on January 20th, 2002, against the Indomitable Lions, they were powerless against the power of Patrick Boma, who atomised Tokala for the only goal of the game. The tie against Togo ended in a goalless draw in Group C. But January 29, 2002, will forever remain a memorable date in the Congolese collective memory. For the third and final match day in Group C, DRC faced Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivorian Pachyderms were led by players who were scary just by their names – Gilles Yapi Yapo, Maestro Didier Zokora, Didier Drogba (Le Mans before his transfer to En Avant Guingamp), Aruna Dindane, Bonaventure Kalou, Abdul Kader Keita, Kanga Akale, Tchiressoua Guel and Aliou Sidi Badra. In front of the Kings of the forest, Simbas (Lions in Swahili), the elephants could not harm the lions with their ivory without receiving sharp, tearing and nailed slaps and canines with devouring powers that would sever trunks in the battle. In the 3rd minute, all the way from the rail workers team , Saint Eloi Lupopo and recruited from SM Sanga Balende, Kanku Mulekelayi managed to split the opposing defense to bang in the goal for DRC; his goal was disallowed for questionable positioning – offside. 25 minutes later, the new Simba, Trésor Lualua, provided a caviar to Essongo, whose powerful shot forced goalkeeper Losseni Konaté to push the ball back to Yuvuladio for the first goal of the game. After the break with one goal advantage, Sambas changed pace; their domination, perfectly managed by Kanku Mulekayi in midfield, strangled the Ivorians. The work done by the attacking trio of Mayele – Lualua – Nonda, sometimes off the ball, was of a very high quality, even if Jason Mayele gave way to Manzakala. The new Simbas captain, Shabani Nonda, doubled the lead for DRC. At 2-0, who would have believed it! As they say in the popular jargon in Kinshasa: “Don’t sing Victory before dealing with Obstacles”. Kanku Mulekayi had become much a nuisance to the Ivorians than a player; he was a victim of a horribly vicious tackling in the penalty area, which the referee awarded a penalty for, 10 minutes from the regulation time. Undaunted, Papy Kimoto, one of the heroes of the Burkinabe saga, took the kick and placed it in the back of Losseni Konaté’s net. Kanku was unable to continue the game because of the tackling, and he was replaced by Patrick Apataki (formerly of Sundowns, South Africa). At 3-0, the equation became a multi-faceted affair for the Ivorian national team, which the Yopougon and Adjamé residents found to be unrecognizable. Since saving the best for last is also a motto, Traoré reduced the deficit four minutes from regulation time. Simbas won the tie magnificently, 3-1 was the final score. Simbas finished the group stage in second place behind Cameroon, leaving Togo and Côte d’Ivoire empty-handed. The national team was about to play its first quarter-final of the new millennium – a feat!
In this quarter-final game, DRC faced fiery Senegal; the Teranga Lions had rejuvenated their team, which had achieved exploits in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers of the same year. El Hadj Diouf, Kalilou Fadiga, Bouba Diop (the iced wardrobe), Aliou Cisse, Salif Diao, Lamine Diatta, and Henri Kamara were all keen to write their names in the African football’s archives. This formidable armada was led by Bruno Metsu and Jules Bocande –as his assistant. Bruno died on October 15, 2013 and was buried in the Muslim cemetery of Yoff in Dakar. Jules Bocande – Capitaine Fracasse – passed on May 7, 2012 in Metz where he was idolized at the Stade Saint Symphorien in his playing career with Metz. On February 4, 2002, at the Modibo Keïta Stadium in Bamako, the reckoning was about to take place; Italian referee Domenico Messina (as a result of collaboration between CAF and UEFA) gave the kickoff. Without Kanku Mulekayi dictating the play and pace in the middle of the park, Simbas were unable to coordinate their actions, which gave the Senegalese Lions a boost. Half an hour into the game, Salif Diao opened the scoring for the Senegalese, and four minutes from regulation time, El Hadj Diouf doubled the score to confirm Simbas’ elimination. Senegal beat DRC 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals; the Congolese packed their bags and left the tournament at that stage.
The tackle suffered by Kanku Mulekayi against Côte d’Ivoire had caused a serious injury that required appropriate treatment abroad. This player, whose talent was never in doubt, had been left on his own despite having superbly fulfilled his mission on behalf of the Republic. This injury almost ended his career before he bounced back with TP Mazembe and later joined Cape Town, in South Africa where he played alongside Bageta and Cyrille Mubiala at Ajax Cape Town at the time. Also, after this Malian AFCON, tragically, Jason Mayele died in a car accident on March 2, 2002 in Italy, less than two months after his participation in the 2002 AFCON in Mali. However, Mayele had promised to rip open the boa and publicly air the dirty linen that tarnishes football management in DRC; he took with him the secrets that would have been of a very important contribution to the growth of national football.
In Tunisia for the 2004 AFCON, Simbas repeated unpredictability was disadvantageously unfavouring. Tunisia hosted the tournament for the third time after 1965, 1994 and 2004. Despite a relatively good AFCON in Mali, the Congolese wild beasts remained dormant, without however compromising their ability to wake up in certain circumstances but ready to go back to sleep immediately. Ping-pong performances, between shadows and lights, had accustomed fans and pundits to the “déjà vu” situation. With the exception of 2000 AFCON, the national team regularly passed the first round, often stopping in the quarter-finals, except in 1998, the year of the country last appearance on the podium. Housed in Group A with the host country, Tunisia, Guinea and Rwanda, there was no longer Watunda on the bench, but rather a coach of English origin: Michael Waddsworth. Rumours swirled of his connections with Simbas captain Trésor Lualua, who allegedly used his influence to force authorities in hiring his friend. Lulua had taken over the captaincy in the absence of the incumbent, Shabani Nonda; the latter had withdrawn from the Tunisian AFCON after being seriously injured by Karl José-Pierre Fanfan at the start of the 2002-2003 French League, following a violent foul in the PSG-Monaco game. Yet the two had played together at Monaco the previous season.
In the first Group A match, Guinea, led by Pascal Feindouno, Fodé Mansaré, Boubacar Titi Camara, and Dianbobo Baldé from Glasgow Rangers in Scotland, won 2-1 against DRC Simbas. First to open the scoring through Masudi, Simbas were pegged back by Camara before Feindouno put the nail in their coffin. The Carthage Eagles, coached by the late Roger Lemerre, were determined to make this AFCON an opportunity to glean glory above Africa on the wings of the eagles. Khaled Badra, Alaeddine Yahia, Ziad Jaziri, Hatem Trabelsi, Riadh Bouazizi, and Raidhi Jaidi left no chance for Simbas to bounce back in the second week. Beaten 0-3 (a brace from Santos Francileudo and a goal from Braham), Simbas were already eliminated while waiting to fulfil their final duty against Rwanda and return home regardless of the outcome of the game. In this game, DRC started well against the hostTunisia, but not knowing what was biting Trésor Lualua, he was sent off by the game referee, the South African Jerome Damon for an unsportsmanlike gesture. With their captain gone, Simbas lost the radar to guide them on the pitch while the score was still 0-0. What followed was horribly nightmarish; a massacre that many had described as a lack of vision following the hasty preparations to which the Congolese had already become accustomed over the decades.
In view of these first two days, it was obvious that Kabamba Musasa, Félix Mwamba Musasa, Biscotte Mbala Mbuta, Dieudonné Kalulika, Hérita Ilunga, Marcel Kimbemba Mbayo or Ngoy Bomboko, were not housed in the same boat as the new boss. The language barrier between Michael Wordsworth and the players had not facilitated exchanges, especially since Michael did not have time to acclimatize to the way of life in Simbas den. A native English speaking coach, only Trésor Lualua was able to understand the Shakespeare language before relaying the content to his teammates in French which he (Lualua) barely mastered or in Lingala. This delay in the transit of vital information by the coach on the technique and tactics of play to his protégés, was not likely to enhance this campaign in Tunisia. Interpreting always has its limits when it is provided by a layperson who has little or no mastery of rules thereof.
To complete the circle, Amavubis (Wasps) of Rwanda were well prepared for Simbas’ final turn in this adventure, ready to sting Simbas as soon as possible. This is Rwanda’s first qualification for an African Cup of Nations finals. This meeting took place on a Sunday, February 1, 2004 at October 15th Stadium in Bizerte. Michel Kamanzi, Olivier Karekezi, Fréderic Rusanganwa, Canisius Bizimana, Karim Kamanzi, Said Abed Makasi etc… were unknown quantities, on the Rwandan side, compared to the “steamroller” type of physiognomy displayed by DRC. Among the 1998 survivors, Kisombe Mundabi alias Kundé and Marcel Kimbemba Mbayo were on the game sheet. With the game no longer of significant importance, Simbas’ reluctance to push, even to salvage their honour, was undeniably apparent. Present on the pitch but psychologically absent, the Congolese struggled to sustain an intelligently developed game in front of their coach Michael, overwhelmed by events. At 16 minutes from regulation time, Saïd Abed Makasi definitively annihilated Congolese hopes of returning home with a win, by scoring the only goal of the game – Rwanda 1 – 0 DRC. The Wasps pride as well as the country’s, increased a notch because it was the first time that the Rwandan national team had beaten DRC in official competitions. Shamefully, DRC had lost all three of its games with only one goal scored against six conceded for a disappointing goal average of -5 goals. In the final Group A standings, DRC languished at the bottom of the ladder, overtaken by the minours Rwanda in the final standings. Rwanda, although eliminated, had a fine AFCON, hailed by the football world; the Rwandan players were treated to a heroic welcome upon their return to Kigali.
The second part of this publication’s series could not end without noting the change that took place in DRC after the 2006 AFCON in Egypt; the national team changed its name – SIMBAS became the LEOPARDS again on February 18, 2006. This novelty followed the change in the Republic’s coat of arms (armorial bearings) with the adoption and enactment of the new constitution. Many would have preferred this change to have taken place sooner to erase the worst memory of two years ago in Tunisia. While Trésor Lua Lua was still present, this was by no means the case for his friend Michael. Wordsworth had not returned to Kinshasa after the disappointment from 2004 African Cup of Nations; he had flown from Tunis to his native England.
In charge in Egypt, an old wolf, a true Franco-African became the national team boss. A former Africa Cup of Nations winner with Cameroon in 1988, Claude Le Roy had brought in a significantly revamped squad. The late Pascal Kalemba was assisted in the goal by a new goalkeeper, Francis Chansa, a member of South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, while Dikete Tapungu (former player of Bush Bucks FC in South Africa) completed the goalkeeper’s roaster. Gladys Bokese, Hérita Ilunga, Kabundi Tshiamalenga, Ngandu Kasongo, Cyrille Mubiala, Dituabanza Nsumbu, Tshinyama Tshiolola, Ilongo Ngasanya, Jean Paul Kamudimba, Zola Matumona, Biscotte Mbuta Mbala, Trésor Mputu Mabi, Milambo Mutamba, Lelo Mbele, Kabamba Musasa, etc. were among the cohort heading to Egypt. The national team had gone to Egypt with a clear desire to erase its catastrophic 2004 exit in Tunisia. Simbas could not do worse. This constituted a real reason for hope. As in 2002 in Mali, DRC found Cameroon and Togo in Group B, with Angola.
At the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo for the first week on January 21, 2006, no one could have imagined that Togolese coach, the Nigerian Stephen Keshi, would not field Adebayor. Yes! Indeed, that’s what happened; Adebayor did not play in that game against DRC. Was this a prelude to excitement? Certainly, because Trésor Mputu of TP Mazembe opened the scoring in the last minute of the first half by placing his action in the back of Kossi Agassa’s net. 0-1 for DRC. 9 minutes following their exit from the dressing rooms, Captain Trésor Lualua doubled the lead. At 0-2, it was a great start for Simbas who had won the game. Four days later, Palancas Negra of Angola were ready to test the Congolese Simbas ferocity. Marco Abreu, Love Cabungula, Antonio Mendonca, Fabrice Akwa and Flavio Amado (who won the CAF Champions League on November 11, 2006 with Al Ahly of Egypt) formed the backbone of the Angolan national team. Barely 18 minutes had passed when Trésor Mabi Mputu kicked the young Angolan defender Kali in the crotch as the latter was protecting the ball over the line, which annoyed the Mazembe striker. He received a straight red card and was sent off the pitch like Lualua two years ago against Tunisia. From that moment on, the game was no longer the same, Angola had not managed to take advantage of its numerical advantage and win the game. The game ended in a goalless draw. For the third and last week of the round robin phase in this group, the Cairo International Stadium hosted DRC vs Cameroon fixture. A draw would qualify Simbas to join the Indomitable Lions in the quarterfinals. Any other score would be subject to the score line from Angola and Togo game, which had become a habit for the Congolese. Geremi Njitap and Eto’O Fils scored quickly in 31st and 33rd minutes to lead 2-0 until regulation time ending. Surprisingly, Eto’O had left his attacking position as a striker and improvised himself as a defender and midfielder. Had Eto’O listened to Claude Le Roy’s plea prior to the game since the French said that a son would not kill his father? Claude Le Roy was the one who first selected Samuel Eto’o Fils for the Cameroon national team. It was in 1998, when the Cameroonians gathered for the 1998 France World Cup camping in Italy, when he was 17 years and a few months old. He owed a great deal to the French patriarch, which explains his restraint in not adding to the score. At the same time, Angola was beating Togo 3 (two goals from Falvio and a goal from Maurito) to 2 (Kader and Cheriff Touré).
In the quarter-finals, DRC had to beat the host country, Egypt, hoping to reach the semi-finals for the second time in less than 10 years. Except that playing against Egypt in front of their own crowd was a real challenge. Ahmed Hassan opened the scoring for the hosts in 33rd minute before Hossam Hassan doubled the lead 8 minutes later. In the second half, Simbas reduced the deficit through Abdel Zaher El Sakka own goal 2 minutes after the restart. In 57th minute, Emad Moteab scored Egypt’s third goal, and Ahmed Hassan, banged in his second, two minutes from regulation time. The future African champions thrashed Simbas 4-1. Matumona Zola, known as Roum to his friends, was voted Man of the Match. The indiscipline punished by a well-deserved red card against Mputu Trésor cost the Congolese nation dearly. He had hoped in vain that his teammates would beat the Egyptians so that he would return to the field in the semi-final; because of his red card, he was suspended for two games. This is how he missed the game against Cameroon and the quarter-final against Egypt, having received this red card in the second match against Angola.
The adage that “every cloud has a silver lining” was fully in use in this group at the 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The two eliminated teams, Togo and Angola, were the ones that had managed to secure a spot among Africa’s representatives at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, each participating for the first time in their history. As for DRC, it had returned to its habits, failing to go beyond the quarter-finals of an AFCON as in 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2002 – now 2006. Eliminated in the first round in 2000 and 2004, only the Burkinabe edition eclipsed Congolese Simbas dismay through the bronze medal they won. Another important fact worth noting is that Egypt has met DRC for the second time in AFCON finals since 1974. Fixtures’ winner would go all the way to clinch the continental trophy – the Leopards of Zaire (now DRC Simbas) did so; they had beaten Egypt in the semi-finals to win AFCON in 1974. The Egyptians beat DRC in 2006 in the quarter-finals and won the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
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