Amos Annan

In a year when the football focus has been largely on Africa, it was a fitting end to the last twelve months that in the 2010 Club World Cup, an African side, TP Mazembe of DR Congo,  stole the show, reaching the final, and beating Brazilians Internacional in the process. And despite not winning the tournament, once again shone the spotlight on their continent after memories of last summer’s World Cup were just beginning to fade.

In a tournament that is fast gaining respect among the most elite clubs, who seek to prove their dominance on the world stage, it is no small feat for an African side to reach the final. This, on the back of continued uninspiring performances by previous African clubs at the Club World Cup prompts the question, what is so special about the Congolese? Was it a mere stoke of luck, or is there more to it?

Well, actually, there is more to it.

As their past history attests, TP Mazembe are no minnows of African football, being the first side to defend the continental trophy in 1967 and 1968, and appearing in the final for four consecutive seasons. They also boast such honours as the African Cup Winners Cup and an appreciable number of domestic titles.

 


The proverbial giant was sound asleep a mere ten years ago, but now seems to have awoken from its slumber, winning the African Champions League for the second season running, combined with five league titles and one domestic cup in the last decade. Surely, it was only a matter of time before TP Mazembe made a splash on world stage? In 2009, they hit the Club World Cup for the first time – it was a forgettable outing – and then put on a historic performance this December. But what, and most likely who, is responsible for the team’s recent progress?

Undoubtedly, behind the various successes chalked by European teams is a solid club and team structure, and the fact that there is ample sponsorship and income, to say the least, for illustrious sides. In a similar vein, the owner of TP Mazembe Englebert, businessman Moise Katumbi Chapwe, has sought to invest heavily in the club, to promote local talent and establish a structure that is far above ordinary African standards, and quite comparable to European setups. The charismatic governor of DR Congo’s mineral-rich Katanga province, and a wealthy businessman, he has drawn comparisons with Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich in the way he splashes his cash on the club. In fact, in the last three years, the annual budget of TP Mazembe has risen from $3.6M, to $5M, and then $10M this year, sums that are undeniably unheard of throughout most of Africa.

This cash injection has no doubt contributed to the resurgence of TP Mazembe in recent years. As if that were not enough, the Governor is so passionate about his club that he has been known to encourage his players in the dressing room at half time on occasion. His influence was, as such, pivotal in this December’s near-triumph in the Club World Cup. As expected, Katumbi was eager to learn from last year’s humiliating last place finish in the tournament, by taking the team to a European camp in preparation for Abu Dhabi, after their African Champions League triumph over Tunisian side Esperance. And then the mineral magnate also took the initiative of fully sponsoring 100 fans to watch the final against Internazionale. Truly, the influence of this man cannot be overemphasised.

Still, it takes more than one man with a lot of money to lead a club side to continental, then world success. The quality of players in the team is also of absolute importance. Add the abundant African talent to the financial motivation generated by wage payments that are astronomical by African standards, and what is produced is a special blend of mostly local, and a few quality imports, that have indeed contributed to the team’s successes.

Les Corbeaux, or the Crows, as they are affectionately known, are mostly made up of Congolese nationals, with two Zambian and two Cameroonians thrown into the mix. Starting right from the goalkeeper, veteran Robert Kidiaba, right through to star Zambian striker Given Singuluma, here is a side that beyond doubt are deserved African champions. To underline his status as the club’s number one keeper, and make up for a red card suffered in 2009’s Club World Cup, Kidiaba was in inspired form in December’s showpiece in Abu Dhabi, especially against Internacional in the semi-final. But that was no isolated incident, as he had stood tall between the posts during his side’s Champions League campaign with similar stellar performances a regular occurrence. Kidiaba is one of the side’s most recognisable players, with his trademark a ‘bouncing-on-his-bottom’ celebration when the Congolese score.

TP Mazembe also boast some fine attacking talent too, both homegrown and imported; no wonder they often line up in a 4-3-3 formation. The most popular is Congolese forward and former captain Tresor Mputu – former captain because he is currently serving a one-year ban imposed by FIFA for attacking a referee. Named the Best African Player on the continent in 2009, and scoring a remarkable 34 goals in 30 league games for his club in 2007, Mputu is undoubtedly a key figure. To underline the attacking strength of the team, the Congolese also have yet another player, Guy Lisandisu, serving a ban for eleven months, also for violent behaviour, for actions in the same match which saw Mputu punished. Fans have pondered therefore, if TP Mazembe could have managed to lift the Club World Cup had these talented forwards been available.

 

Nevertheless, there was enough quality evident in the side as Zambian import Given Singuluma shouldered the responsibility of replacing Mputu, by regularly getting on the scoresheet, especially in the African Champions League. Then, there is arguably the most dangerous man in the team at present, Alain Kaluyikuta Dioko, with his electrifying pace and knack for find the back of the net, as was all too evident at the Club World Cup. The Congolese striker thus earned a nomination for the CAF African Player of the Year award at the just ended Glo-CAF Awards; he also won the Adidas Silver Ball in Abu Dhabi.

Other key performers include inventive midfielder Ngandu Kasongo, who is regularly the architect of the club’s many goals, and pops up with important strikes himself, driving force Patou Kabangu, and versatilite defender Eric Nkulukuta; there is no doubt the African champions have a well-balanced side.

A team is nothing though, no matter how talented, without a coach to encourage, cajole and produce the best from the bunch. And TP Mazembe had to be marshalled by a boss who mirrored the ambition of their owner. This was certainly a contributory factor when Argentine Diego Garzitto was sacked following a 3-0 mauling at the hands of Esperance in Tunis. His replacement, Lamine N’Diaye, wasted no time in leading the side to an enviable record second defence of their Champions League crown. And the Club World Cup success helped the Senegalese top a fantastic year. Though the 54-year-old may not have the most glittering record, having coached Senegal in 2008 and Coton Sport of Cameroon for four seasons, his success in just under six months in the DR Congo is evidence of his credentials.

TP Mazembe’s rise to fame has brought to bear, once again, the debate about whether African club football can indeed stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world. While a Club World Cup final appearance is not in itself cause for the champagne to be broken out in CAF headquarters, the Congolese club are becoming a continental superpower, and that should help to ensure African clubs have a benchmark against which to measure themselves. Much is expected of Tout Puissant Mazembe Englebert, and the club are not finished yet. In the words of owner Moise Katumbi Chapwe, his side have “put TP Mazembe on the map and… are going to remain on the map.”