Diaspora Talents Shine in Europe
From Nottingham to Gjilan in Kosovo, Congolese footballers scattered across Europe approached the penultimate rounds of continental competition with contrasting emotions. The results collected on Thursday evening painted a nuanced picture, while collectively highlighting how the nation’s talent pool now flows far beyond Ligue 1 and the borders of the domestic league.
With the senior national team preparing for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, every performance was scrutinized by the Brazzaville staff tracking real-time fitness data, underscoring how European club nights have become an essential laboratory for future Red Devils lineups.
Europa League Results for Congolese Stars
Nottingham Forest secured a timely three-goal victory against Malmö, keeping their qualification hopes alive in Group F. Congolese winger Dilane Bakwa, nursing a minor thigh strain, watched from the City Ground stands but posted encouragement on social media, calling the clean sheet an “important boost” for the decisive December fixtures ahead.
In Porto, OGC Nice suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat that leaves the French club on the brink. Young center-back Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga was omitted from the traveling squad, with the manager insisting the 19-year-old “remains part of our long-term project” despite fierce competition for playing time this season.
These two results mean Forest climbs to second place with nine points while Nice slips to third with seven, a reversal likely to influence transfer talks as English scouts intensify monitoring of Bakwa’s recovery timeline and Mantsounga’s contract situation ahead of potential January loans or permanent defensive reinforcements.
Makoumbou Carries Samsunspor in Iceland
In the North Atlantic chill of Kópavogur, Antoine Makoumbou delivered a classy midfield performance in Samsunspor’s 2-2 draw with Breidablik. The 25-year-old intercepted a risky Icelandic pass in the 20th minute and instantly served his attacking partner M’Baye Mouandjilmadji for the equalizer, a sequence replayed repeatedly by Turkish broadcasters throughout the night.
Makoumbou’s influence, however, waned late in the match with fatigue, allowing Ólafur Ómarsson to get past him before setting up Stefán Kristinsson for a leveling goal in the 72nd minute. Samsunspor nonetheless leads Group C on goal difference alongside Strasbourg, whose spirited home win against Crystal Palace leaves qualification wide open.
Rabby Nzingoula remained an unused substitute, but the manager praised the right-back’s attitude in the post-match press conference, hinting that rotation could come “once mathematical certainty is secured.” For Congo, this bench time ensures the 21-year-old stays fresh for January’s Africa Cup of Nations training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Setback for Lausanne in Poland
Swiss Super League club Lausanne tasted its first European defeat this season, falling 2-0 to Lech Poznań in a frigid Stadion Miejski. Left-back Morgan Poaty started energetically, overlapping to deliver three early crosses, but faded before being substituted in the 82nd minute as Polish pressure tightened its grip.
Center-back Kevin Mouanga played the full 90 minutes, recording a team-high seven clearances. Lausanne now sits thirteenth in the overall Conference League standings with seven points after four challenging rounds.
Ovouka Inspires Drita Victory
Kosovar champion Drita continued its fairy-tale run by beating Shkëndija 1-0 in Gjilan, thanks to a Besnik Krasniqi header in the 62nd minute. Congolese full-back Raddy Ovouka came close to scoring himself earlier, sending a header just wide in the 36th minute, and was praised for his relentless wing play throughout the match.
Drita rose to eighth place in the UEFA coefficient-based table with eight points, a success linked to “smart recruitment across Africa.” Ovouka’s loan from Accra Hearts of Oak includes a purchase option that, according to internal club sources, will almost certainly be triggered in June 2024.
Rijeka Draw Tests Depth
Rijeka and AEK Larnaca drew on the Croatian Adriatic coast, a result offering little comfort for either side. Jeremy Gnali, starting at left-back, received a yellow card just before halftime but regained his composure to finish strongly before being substituted in stoppage time.
His counterpart Merveil Ndockyt watched from the bench, having just returned from a minor ankle sprain. Rijeka occupies twenty-fourth place with five points, while Larnaca, buoyed by defensive solidity, holds seventh with eight, keeping both teams at a mathematical distance from the round of 16 playoffs with two rounds remaining.
What This Means for Congo’s Red Devils
The national technical director praised the diaspora’s continental exposure, stating that “high-pressure environments accelerate decision-making.” He added that fitness updates on Bakwa, Poaty, and Ndockyt will guide call-ups for March friendlies designed to fine-tune cohesion before the World Cup schedule resumes.
For supporters, the evening reinforced optimism that Congolese representation at Europe’s highest levels is no longer sporadic. Whether chasing group qualification or fighting for minutes, each player carries Brazzaville’s colors, offering tangible proof of a footballing pipeline whose next breakthrough could emerge from any corner of the continent.