A Sudden Loss Echoes Through Congolese Football
The news of the death of Dieudonné Benito Amouzoud on October 28th in France spread quickly from Pointe-Noire to Makélékélé. Within hours, former colleagues, players, and coaches expressed their sorrow. “It’s a great loss,” murmured a voice filled with emotion, speaking of decades of shared ambition.
It was noted that Amouzoud, president of the Dreams of Kids Foundation, had become a pillar for local youth wanting to combine studies and football. The emotion of the moment was also tinged with pride: the elders felt they had supported a builder who laid solid foundations for Congolese sport.
The Dream That Became CESD
Amouzoud’s vision took shape at the turn of the millennium. Fresh from leading the football section of Étoile du Congo, he invested his savings and determination into creating the Centre d’Études et Sport la Djiri, the country’s first academy combining academic learning and multidisciplinary sports training.
Nothing was improvised on the newly cleared site north of Brazzaville. The football pitches, courts, and dojos were built to standards visitors compared to French provincial facilities. “He gave everything he had so children could dream close to home,” is remembered with a measured smile.
Recruiting Expertise, Forging Partnerships
To run the academy, Amouzoud insisted on qualified staff. The first head of studies designed programs aligned with national education requirements while leaving afternoons free for training. “He wanted the brain and muscles to progress together,” it was said.
Cooperation was quickly facilitated with Italian trainers, opening CESD to European methods. “His spirit of sacrifice encouraged us to push boundaries,” it was explained, noting that international exposure became a daily goal rather than a distant hope.
Leading Congolese Youth Onto World Stages
The recruitment of a French technician as technical director marked a turning point. Under his guidance, CESD teams traveled to invited tournaments in France and South Africa, testing their strength against academies backed by Ligue 1 clubs.
These trips inspired the creation of the Djiri Cup on home soil. Initially local, the competition quickly welcomed selections from Gabon and a visiting French team. The modest stadium echoed with new accents, and neighborhood vendors discovered world football could unfold in the suburbs of Brazzaville.
A Generation of Talent Carries the Torch
The academy’s rigorous program produced disciplined athletes. Midfielder Durel Avounou and winger Harvy Ossiété earned national team call-ups, while other graduates like Exaucé impressed in domestic leagues. It was argued the list would have been longer without certain headwinds that slowed momentum.
Nevertheless, every national radio announcement of a selection was seen as validation of Amouzoud’s model. “He was a crucial link in the transformation we initiated for our football,” it was stated, adding that progress, though fragile, had become irreversible thanks to the years of training at Djiri.
Remembering a Visionary’s Character
Colleagues describe Amouzoud as calm but unyielding. Faced with cost overruns, he reportedly sold personal assets rather than reduce the quality of the boarders’ meals. “He believed nutrition could decide the final score,” it was noted, recalling his evening checks on the canteen menus.
Players remember informal chats where the boss invoked school attendance as the surest path to a professional contract. “He taught us to arrive early, study hard, and respect the kit manager,” summarized a former U-17 captain on social media—values now echoed in dressing rooms across the country.
Lessons for Congolese Sports Development
The CESD story illustrates how a private initiative can complement public programs without confrontation. By integrating education, sport, and modest revenue from tournaments, the model diversified funding sources that often dry up for purely competitive clubs.
Analysts note the academy anticipated current discussions on “football business” by insisting on governance routines, medical follow-ups, and performance data. Local observers see it as a model provincial centers could adapt, extending the ecosystem beyond the capital and encouraging regional talent retention.
The Community Pledges to Perpetuate His Legacy
In the days following the funeral, alumni rushed to the Djiri campus, repainting dormitory walls and readjusting goalposts before evening prayers. “Our duty is to keep the doors open,” was reiterated, urging sponsors to maintain scholarships for the next intake.
An anniversary edition of the Djiri Cup is already on the federation’s calendar. Organizers plan to observe a minute of applause, not silence, echoing the vitality Amouzoud championed. As concluded, “He may be gone, but his works remain eternal, woven into every jersey here.”