Congolese Diaspora Weekend Roundup
From Baku to Sofia, Congolese footballers scattered across eight European countries continued their hunt for points, goals, and titles last weekend. Their form provides valuable clues for the Red Devils’ technical staff ahead of the March international break and keeps the diaspora supporters glued to live broadcasts.
Spotlight on the Azerbaijan Premier League
In Azerbaijan, newly-promoted Qabala held off heavy favorites Sabah for an hour before falling 1-0. Left-back Domi Massoumou triggered the visitors’ first shot in the 12th minute, forcing a fingertip save. His second-half strike, again pushed away by Igor Pokatilov, highlighted his growing confidence in the top flight.
Qabala remains tenth with five points, but technical director Yunis Huseynov praised the Congolese defender’s “discipline and vertical runs” (club statement). The northern club hopes January reinforcements can steer them clear of relegation danger in a demanding second half of the Azerbaijani Premier League season.
Lokomotiv Sofia Carried by Congolese Duo
Further west, Lokomotiv Sofia came from behind to beat Beroe 3-1, solidifying their mid-table stability in Bulgaria. Central defender Ryan Bidounga anchored a back three for ninety minutes, intercepting five crosses and winning four aerial duels, according to InStat data. Midfielder Messi Biatoumoussoka watched the action from the bench.
This result brings the club within three points of European playoff spots as winter approaches, an encouraging scenario for the two Congolese professionals fighting for visibility on a televised stage.
Pressure on Dila Gori in Georgian Title Race
In Georgia, Dila Gori secured a 1-0 win over Torpedo Kutaisi, briefly taking top spot. Defensive midfielder Romaric Etou shielded the defense, while center-forward Déo Bassinga pressed high before being substituted in stoppage time. Their club now leads Iberia 1999 by three points, albeit with an inferior goal difference.
The local daily Lelo reported a large crowd at the Tengiz Burjanadze stadium, where banners hailed the Congolese duo. Coach Andriy Demchenko warned that “the title race will be decided on details,” while conceding that Etou’s anticipation has strengthened Gori’s midfield since his July arrival from Brazzaville club AS Otohô.
Cracovia’s Poor Run Raises Questions About Charpentier’s Future
Poland offered a more mixed note: Cracovia fell 3-1 at Chelmianka without striker Gabriel Charpentier, who has been absent from matchday squads since early October. The medical staff cites muscle fatigue, while sports daily Przegląd Sportowy claims negotiations for a January transfer could explain this prolonged absence.
Mixed Results in Russian First League
In the vast Russian second division, Arsenal Tula won 2-1 in Volgograd, with Erving Botaka Yoboma receiving a late booking for time-wasting. Elsewhere, Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet’s Yenisey Krasnoyarsk suffered a 3-0 defeat in Ufa, a result that slides them towards the relegation playoff zone.
Russian media Sport-Express highlighted Botaka Yoboma’s aerial dominance, as he won six of his seven duels. The former CSMD Diables Noirs defender is on loan until June and is already attracting interest from Premier League club Krylia Sovetov, according to sources close to the player’s representatives.
Degerfors’ Relegation Battle in Sweden
In Sweden, Degerfors put in a spirited performance to draw 1-1 with in-form Hammarby but remain fourteenth, locked in a fierce relegation battle. Defensive midfielder Philippe Ndinga played the full 90 minutes, distributing the ball with 83% accuracy and committing just one foul under persistent Scandinavian rain.
This result leaves Degerfors two points behind thirteenth-placed Norrköping with one matchday remaining. Ndinga told local broadcaster Discovery+ that “belief is our greatest weapon before the finale at Brommapojkarna,” adding that advice from former national team captain Delvin Ndinga helps him handle high-pressure situations.
Congolese Impact in Turkish Leagues
In the Turkish Süper Lig, Alanyaspor and Gaïus Makouta shared a goalless draw with Gaziantep. The central midfielder completed all four of his attempted dribbles and covered the most distance in the match, according to Opta, but chances were scarce on the Mediterranean coast.
One division below, Francis Nzaba’s Erokspor beat Çorum 3-1, extending an unbeaten run to five matches. The 20-year-old defender received a yellow card in the 29th minute but stayed focused thereafter, pushing into midfield to initiate counter-attacks praised by coach Uğur Balcıoğlu in a press conference.
Goalless Afternoon in Ukraine
In Ukraine, newly-promoted Polissya Zhytomyr was held to a 0-0 draw by Metalist 1925. Neither Borel Tomandzoto nor center-forward Jerry Yoka featured, as head coach Yuriy Kalitvintsev rotated his squad amid a busy domestic and cup schedule in a war-disrupted league.
National Team Scouts Watching Closely
Collectively, thirty-two Congolese players are now active in UEFA-affiliated leagues, providing national team coach Paul Put with a widened talent pool. His assistants monitor GPS data and match videos via the federation’s new analysis center in Brazzaville, funded in partnership with CAF’s Forward program.
“Minutes played in Europe accelerate tactical maturity,” Put explained in a phone interview, noting that Massoumou and Makouta could earn recalls if their consistency persists. He also emphasized discipline: “We select based on behavior as much as statistics.” The next squad announcement is scheduled for late February.
Ambition Bridges the Kilometers
Until then, the weekly exploits of the diaspora will continue to echo in Congo, fueling debates in cafés from Poto-Poto to Tié-Tié and reminding young hopefuls that the paths to the national jersey increasingly run through distant leagues, measured in kilometers but united by ambition.