Weekend snapshot
The latest European round offered a discreet yet telling showcase for Congo-Brazzaville’s footballers. Goals were rare, injuries lingered, but every minute mattered for national-team hopefuls chasing form before March’s qualifiers. From the Bundesliga 2 to Tel Aviv, here is what fans need to remember.
German push for promotion
Nürnberg climbed to seventh by edging Braunschweig 2-1, yet the absence of winger Noah Le Bret Maboulou, nursing a thigh strain, was felt down the flanks. Coach Cristian Fiél saluted his group’s ‘character under pressure’ while hinting the 23-year-old could return after the international break.
The result keeps the Franconians only four points off the promotion play-offs, a margin that excites Brazzaville supporters living in Bavaria. ‘If Noah stays fit, direct promotion is realistic,’ enthused supporter Dieudonné Mankessi outside Max-Morlock-Stadion, echoing optimism spreading across expatriate WhatsApp groups.
Premier League resilience
In England, Nottingham Forest shared a stirring 2-2 with Manchester United despite keeping Dilane Bawkwa on the injury list. The young midfielder’s ankle is still monitored daily, but coach Steve Cooper insisted: ‘His dynamism will be priceless in the congested festive schedule.’
Bawkwa’s rehabilitation is being overseen by Congolese physiotherapist Marcel Kiala at the Nigel Doughty Academy, a detail warmly welcomed by Kinshasa-based sports doctor Emile Nkouka who notes that ‘cultural proximity often accelerates recovery because the player feels fully understood.’
FA Cup drama
The magic of the FA Cup smiled on Luton Town, victorious 4-3 at Forest Green. Striker Christ Makosso watched from the bench but celebrated with fans afterwards, promising on club media he would ‘seize the next round to finally open my goal tally this season.’
Lower-tier Bromley exited after a brave 1-2 against Bristol Rovers. Midfielder William Hondermarck, tireless until the 81st minute, earned praise from manager Andy Woodman for ‘matching League One intensity’. The Congolese-Irishman’s lungs may yet attract scouts before January’s transfer window.
Croatian breakthrough
In Croatia, Merveil Ndockyt produced the weekend’s lone Congolese goal during Rijeka’s narrow 1-2 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb. Arriving late into the box, the 25-year-old cut a whipped cross for a slick equaliser, his first strike since May.
Coach Sergej Jakirović replaced him two minutes later to patch defensive gaps, a move local paper Novi List judged ‘tactically logical but offensively costly’. Ndockyt’s assured positioning as a relay midfielder feeds speculation of a recall by Congo’s national coach Paul Put.
Spanish cameo
Cultural Leonesa edged Mirandés 3-2 in Spain’s Segunda thanks to late energy from Jordi Mboula, introduced after the hour. The winger’s touches were few yet sharp, and Diario de León highlighted his ‘explosive acceleration that unsettled a tiring defence,’ a good sign after recent muscle niggles.
Hungarian stalemate
In Hungary, left-back Senna Miangué stayed on the bench as Győr held leaders Paks 0-0. Coach Antonio Muñoz explained that the former Standard Liège defender ‘needs a full training week after flu symptoms,’ suggesting minutes could come in Wednesday’s Magyar Kupa tie.
Israeli clean sheet
Fernand Mayembo anchored Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 2-0 clean sheet against Ironi Tiberias, making seven clearances and winning all aerial duels according to club statistics. Local broadcaster Sport5 named the Brazzaville centre-back in its team of the week, praising his ‘quiet authority in a youthful back line’.
Meanwhile, Bnei Sakhnin drew 2-2 at Maccabi Petah Tikva without Durel Avounou or Glid Otanga. Both midfielders were omitted for tactical reasons, yet coach Slobodan Drapić confirmed ‘they remain part of my rotation’ ahead of next Sunday’s derby with Hapoel Haifa.
Italian battles
Back in Serie A, Warren Bondo fought gamely during Cremonese’s 1-2 home loss to Juventus before being subbed on 62 minutes. Tuttosport noted his ‘sharp interceptions against Adrien Rabiot’, evidence that the Paris-born youngster is adapting quickly to a holding-midfield role.
In Serie C Group C, Atalanta Under-23 downed Cerignola 4-2 while Digne Pounga remained an unused substitute. The 20-year-old centre-half, highly rated by Bergamo scouts, is expected to debut in December once he clears non-EU registration formalities.
Implications for Congo squad
National team staff followed the weekend closely via Wyscout. A source inside the federation says Paul Put will name a provisional list in February and ‘is particularly attentive to players getting 90-minute rhythms’. Ndockyt, Mayembo and Bondo strengthened their cases; Maboulou and Bawkwa must prove fitness.
Looking ahead
The next European matchday starts Friday night. Television schedules list Nürnberg-Kaiserslautern at 6:30 p.m. Brazzaville time, while Saturday offers Tottenham-Forest on continental satellite packs. Fans can follow live commentary on Radio Congo, whose mobile app now streams free for users on Airtel and MTN networks.
