Bassouamina forces Monaco to share the spoils
Pafos needed resilience on Champions League match-day five, and Mons Bassouamina provided it. Introduced on 69 minutes against Monaco, the forward brought fresh legs and grit that helped the Cypriots grab a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Louis-II cauldron (club report).
The former AS Nancy striker has seen limited time recently, logging only eleven November minutes before this trip. Yet his cameo in the principality felt timely, the 24-year-old occupying central spaces, locking defenders and offering breathing room to front-line partner Dimata.
Monaco’s back four struggled to contain his direct runs. On 84 minutes he swerved past Mohammed Salisu, only for Caio Henrique’s sliding tackle to halt the charge. A stoppage-time counter also drew a cynical foul from Salisu, underlining the nuisance Bassouamina created.
Stats tell the story of an efficient cameo
The Congolese international touched just six balls, but every involvement counted. One contact came inside the box, three in the right channel and two around the centre circle, reflecting disciplined axial positioning praised by Pafos staff (team analysis).
Although he did not register a shot, his decoy movements opened lanes for Marquinhos and Dimata, whose two goals rescued the point. Pafos, now holding six points, sit twenty-fourth overall and remain on course for play-off berths before daunting away dates at Juventus and Chelsea.
Coach Juan Carlos Carcedo highlighted the striker’s selfless brief, adding that “sometimes the best forward is the one who releases space for others.” The comment sums up Bassouamina’s night: unseen labour, collective reward.
Youth League fireworks from Mounguengue
If Pafos-Monaco offered tension, the U19 showdown between Paris-Saint-Germain and Tottenham delivered swagger. Pierre Mounguengue, an Evry-born attacker with Congolese roots, masterminded PSG’s 4-1 triumph, notching a goal and two assists in just 78 lively minutes (UEFA youth sheet).
On 26 minutes the 17-year-old slipped a precise right-foot pass to Nsoki for 2-0, then curled a left-foot screamer from outside the D four minutes later. A measured square ball for Ayari on 68 minutes sealed Tottenham’s fate and Mounguengue’s man-of-the-match honours.
His Youth League tally now reads two goals and four assists across four fixtures, cementing PSG’s place in the round of sixteen with ten points. Technical director Zoumana Camara praised his “cold blood in hot zones”, suggesting first-team training sessions could follow.
Monaco teens answer back through Moulangou
Earlier in Cyprus, AS Monaco U19s handled business with a routine 3-0 success over Pafos. Nick Mokabakila served a suspension following his red card in Bodø, but compatriot Kenan Moulangou entered at half-time and immediately stamped authority on midfield.
The 18-year-old Blois native teed up the third goal on 89 minutes, sliding a weighted through-ball that split Pafos’s tired back line. Observers noted his calm distribution and knack for arriving late around the box, traits that fit coach Frédéric Barilaro’s possession blueprint.
Momentum for Congo’s football ecosystem
These scattered feats share a common thread: they elevate the Congolese flag on Europe’s biggest stages. While Bassouamina brings senior muscle, Mounguengue and Moulangou headline a new wave inspired by the Diables Rouges’ attacking tradition.
The national federation regularly monitors diaspora prospects, and technical staff will note Mounguengue’s versatility as both finisher and provider. Bassouamina’s disciplined pressing also mirrors the tactical shifts seen under recent national-team selections, focused on compact blocks and quick transitions.
Such performances foster optimism back home, where local academies often cite European success stories to motivate youngsters. The examples from Monaco, Paris and Pafos reinforce the message that professionalism and patience can pay off.
Tough tests ahead keep ambition burning
Pafos travel to Turin next, chasing a historic upset against Juventus. Bassouamina may eye a larger role, especially if Marquinhos is nursed after his brace. A positive result would virtually guarantee a play-off ticket and write a fresh chapter in the Cypriot club’s fairy tale.
In the Youth League, PSG can rotate in Dortmund yet still rely on Mounguengue’s spark, while Monaco’s teenagers need a point in London to clinch their pool. Moulangou’s late assist in Cyprus should earn him another start as the young Monegasques hunt top spot.
For Congolese supporters, the calendar offers a feast of European nights where their compatriots are no longer extras but key protagonists. Each dribble, tackle or assist abroad feeds national pride and widens the pathway for the next generation dreaming of similar stages.
