IS DRC the Brazil of Africa?

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been one of the most unsecure areas of Africa in the past, which has led to the massive exodus of its people to other countries with better living conditions. Europe has been a home of many Congolese immigrants as well as a few African countries. Uniquely, the Democratic Republic of Congo boasts the highest number of talented personnel on African continent. Sport is a natural culture of Congolese people; In Congo, you meet good artists and sportsmen. Like Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo has many players playing in many African and European teams France, Portugal and even Rwanda, to mention but just a few. Though the football culture in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not been promoted at international level, DRC has many talented football stars plying their trade in almost all prestigious leagues in Europe. The longstanding political instability in Africa’s third largest country in the past has obscured their chances of marketing and promoting of their sportsmen and women to the international market. The social and economic instability in that country has robbed it of its chances of participatingqualifying for major tournaments like the World Cup or the Africa Nations Cup as often as their talents probably deserves. Because of bad governance by past leaders, which has led to unending civil conflicts, DR Congo has lost a host of talented players to European as well as African countries. Many players of the Congolese origin have opted to play for European countries. The likes of Claude Makelele, Chelsea star Jose Bosingwa, Yanick Nyanga of Toulouse and Arnod Mvemba of Portsmouth among many others represent countries of foreign origin. And closer to home, our own Amavubi Stars has been littered with players of Congolese origin for years.Saidi Abedi Makasi, Ramathan Nkunzingoma, Patrick Mafisango, Mbuyu Twite, Jannot Witakenge, Abedi Mulenda, Labama Bokota among others are some of the DRC born players, who have opted to play for Rwanda instead of their country of origin. Looking at the bottom side of the coin, Congo still has many talented players playing on their home soil and this has been manifested by their success in the last year’s Confederation of African championships, a tournament meant for players playing in their domestic leagues (CHAN) a well as TP Mazembe’s success in the Africa Champions League last season. Not only Rwanda, many players of Congolese origin play in almost all corners of the continent. The presence of these players not only in Rwandan league but also throughout the region and beyond is an indication that in Congo talent is inherited and not adopted. A quick look at our top local clubs, the likes of APR, ATRACO and Rayon Sport all have many stars of the Congolese origin. Over the years, very many of these Congolese players have established themselves not only in the Rwandan league and national team but also even in Europe. Like Brazil, there are so many young players from DRC with great potential in football. The difference between the two countries is that Brazilian football and its success has been built for so many years while in DRC, it seems as though they don’t have a clear agenda when it comes to nurturing their talents on the part of the football administrators. Ends