European weekend overview
From Warsaw to St-Gallen, Congolese forwards and defenders dotted European scoreboards this weekend, offering fresh lessons to coach Isaac Ngata ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. While Christopher Ibayi netted again in Switzerland, Gabriel Charpentier still waits for minutes in Poland.
- European weekend overview
- Thoune steals headlines in Switzerland
- Romandy clubs mixed fortunes
- Ndinga keeps Degerfors alive in Sweden
- Late cameo for Mboungou in Serbia
- Tchibota lifts Sepsi in Romania
- Makouana sidelined in Czech elite
- Charpentier nears comeback in Poland
- National team radar
- Where and how to watch
- Depth and upcoming fixtures
- Digital rendezvous back home
Below, our round-up country by country, with a tight magnifying glass on playing time, goals, and the ever-crucial battle for starting spots.
Thoune steals headlines in Switzerland
Switzerland remains the happiest land for Congolese strikers. In Super League matchday eight, promoted FC Thoune stunned leaders St-Gallen 2-1, powered by Ibayi’s sixth goal of the campaign.
The 24-year-old finished a two-touch move created by Glynor Plet and Alexander Dahler; his first attempt bounced off the post, but he reacted quicker than the defenders to prod home just before halftime, doubling the score and sending the visiting fans into early celebration.
Coach Mauro Lustrinelli praised the instinct: ‘Chris follows every ball until it stops rolling,’ he said after the match (club media). The victory keeps Thoune top on 16 points, one ahead of St-Gallen and two clear of Young Boys.
Romandy clubs mixed fortunes
Lausanne bounced back spectacularly with a 5-0 rout of the reigning champions. Centre-back Kévin Mouanga, often used at full-back this season, returned to his natural role and helped shut out the usually prolific Bernese frontline for 90 minutes.
Left-sided flyer Morgan Poaty entered on 70 minutes, stretching tired legs and protecting the score. In Geneva, however, Bradley Mazikou and Servette FC endured a rough 0-3 night against Basel, leaving the Grenat languishing near the relegation line.
In Challenge League action, Lausanne-Ouchy silenced Neuchâtel Xamax 2-0. Goalkeeper Exaucé Mafoumbi came on deep into added time for his club debut, a symbolic introduction that hints at future responsibilities between the sticks.
Ndinga keeps Degerfors alive in Sweden
Further north, Philippe Ndinga started for Degerfors in Allsvenskan week 26. The defensive midfielder collected a yellow card after a robust early tackle and was subbed off on 61 minutes as his side held Djurgården 1-1, a point still crucial in their survival fight.
Late cameo for Mboungou in Serbia
In Serbia, forward Prestige Mboungou was given barely ten minutes as TSC Bačka Topola suffered a narrow 0-1 loss to Železničar Pančevo. His late cameo offered glimpses of pace, yet coach Žarko Lazetić admitted the team ‘lacked composure in the final third’ (post-match interview).
Tchibota lifts Sepsi in Romania
Across the Danube, Sepsi OSK edged Ceahlăul 1-0 in Romania’s Liga 2. Winger Mavis Tchibota entered just before the hour mark and tested the keeper with a curling effort, but it was a deflected strike from Attila Hadnagy that sealed the win.
Makouana sidelined in Czech elite
Jablonec’s visit to Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Fortuna Liga ended 0-2, and striker Beni Makouana watched from the stands after being left out of the squad. Local journalists speculate that a minor thigh issue, not disciplinary action, explains his absence.
Charpentier nears comeback in Poland
The Polish Ekstraklasa produced mixed emotions. Cracovia Kraków lost 1-2 at Arka, still without centre-forward Gabriel Charpentier. The former Parma man is reportedly nearing full fitness after a calf problem and could return after the international break, according to Gazeta Krakowska.
National team radar
With two months left before Congo’s double header against Niger and Zambia, the technical staff are monitoring each minute abroad. Assistant coach Guy Mbenza stresses that ‘competition rhythm is key; goals are welcome, but consistent starts matter even more’.
Ibayi and Mouanga look certain to receive the next call-up, while Charpentier’s medical file could decide his fate. For those with reduced playing time, the upcoming domestic training camp in Brazzaville may offer a platform to impress.
Where and how to watch
Fans eager to follow their heroes can stream Super League and Ekstraklasa encounters on Canal+ Afrique, while RTS handles the Swiss Cup mid-week fixtures. Local betting operators estimate Ibayi at 3.5 odds to score again next Sunday.
Depth and upcoming fixtures
Whether in the cold of Scandinavia or under the Alpine drizzle, Congolese talents continue to write their European chapter, carrying the red and green flag in every sprint, tackle and celebration, and nurturing hopes of a vibrant November at Massamba-Débat Stadium.
Beyond the statistics, the weekend illustrated the variety of roles Congolese players assume abroad. From Poaty’s utility minutes safeguarding a scoreline to Mboungou’s late spark chasing an equaliser, the group offers tactical flexibility that national selector Paul Put has regularly highlighted during media sessions.
Looking ahead, most leagues squeeze in a mid-week cup round before pausing for the October international window. Sepsi host Buzău on Wednesday, Cracovia travel to second-tier Katowice in the Polish Cup, while Servette face a tricky trip to amateur side Rapperswil, vital for regaining confidence.
Digital rendezvous back home
Supporters associations in Brazzaville plan screenings and fan chats on TikTok Spaces, turning each foreign league fixture into a communal digital rendezvous that bridges continents and keeps the drumbeat of national pride echoing well beyond the 90 minutes.
