Romanian debut for Tchibota sparks Sepsi win
Mavis Tchibota pulled on Sepsi OSK’s red-and-white strip for the first time on Saturday evening and immediately gave supporters a glimpse of his pace. Introduced on 64 minutes, the winger stretched Campuung’s tiring back line as Sepsi closed out a controlled 2-0 victory, reported Gazeta Sporturilor.
The former Ludogorets man needed just three touches to create an opening, forcing a save before Sepsi doubled the lead moments later. His energy down the right excited coach Liviu Ciobotariu, who praised the newcomer’s “fresh legs and good decisions” after the match.
Mixed emotions in Russia’s fierce FNL battles
Eleven rounds into the rugged Russian second tier, Congo’s defenders endured contrasting afternoons. Arsenal Tula’s meeting with Ufa ended 2-2 without Erving Botaka Yoboma, the centre-back sitting out against his former employers for what Sport Express described as “precautionary muscle rest”.
In Krasnoyarsk, Emmerson Illoy Ayyet anchored Yenisey’s back three during a gritty 1-1 draw with Fakel Voronezh. Local television highlighted his aerial dominance; the 28-year-old won eight headed duels, underlining why national coach Paul Put keeps his name near the top of defensive shortlists.
Serbian slip for Mboungou’s Topola title chase
TSC Backa Topola had started the Serbian Super Liga dreaming of Champions League play-offs, yet Sunday’s 4-2 setback at Čukarički applied the brakes. Prestige Mboungou left the bench on 61 minutes, quickly involved as the visitors pushed to overturn a two-goal deficit.
The Brazzaville-born forward registered one shot on target and completed seven passes in the final third, but Čukarički’s counterattack sealed the points. Sportski Žurnal suggested Mboungou’s “direct style” could earn a start next weekend when Topola host lowly Radnik.
Swedish survival bid boosted by Ndinga thunderbolt
Degerfors IF travelled to Sirius knowing defeat could virtually seal their relegation. Instead, the Red and Whites produced their most complete display of the Allsvenskan season, celebrating a 3-1 triumph crowned by Philippe Ndinga’s spectacular injury-time strike.
Stationed at left-back, Ndinga overlapped tirelessly. In minute 90+2 he collected a clearance on the edge of the box and whipped a left-footed drive into the top corner. Aftonbladet called the goal “a contender for goal of the month”. Degerfors climb to 22 points, three shy of safety with six matchdays remaining.
Speaking post-game, Ndinga dedicated his first league goal to “fans back home in Pointe-Noire who follow every match even at midnight.”
Swiss Cup: contrasting fortunes for Congolese trio
Round two of the Swiss Cup served thrills and spills for Red Devils based in Helvetia. Stade Lausanne-Ouchy booked their place in the last sixteen, edging third-tier Echallens 1-0. Goalkeeper Exaucé Mafoumbi stayed on the bench but celebrated enthusiastically with travelling supporters.
Across the canton, Servette FC’s difficult autumn continued with a surprise 1-0 exit at Yverdon. Left-back Bradley Mazikou logged 90 minutes, his overlapping runs yielding three chances that went begging. The Geneva press lamented Servette’s profligacy rather than defensive frailty.
Lausanne-Sport avoided similar embarrassment, beating Concordia 4-1 in Basel. Kévin Mouanga held the left flank for the full match, while fellow Congolese full-back Morgan Poaty watched from the dug-out, the staff opting to preserve him after a hectic league schedule.
What the weekend means for the Red Devils
With the October international window approaching, Saturday’s and Sunday’s auditions carried extra weight. Tchibota’s lively cameo strengthens his case for a first national call-up since 2022, especially as Congo seek width after recent AFCON qualifiers.
Illoy Ayyet’s consistency in Siberia offers defensive stability, while Ndinga’s attacking nous from deep could provide tactical flexibility on the left where competition is fierce. Mboungou’s minutes will please selectors focusing on high-press forwards capable of shifting from central areas to wide lanes.
Mazikou remains a lock at left-back despite Servette’s wobble, and Mouanga’s ability to switch between central and wide defence keeps him in the conversation. Mafoumbi’s cup watch confirms depth behind No.1 Christoffer Mafoumbi.
Upcoming fixtures to watch
Sepsi face a promotion six-pointer at Hunedoara next Saturday, giving Tchibota further chance to build chemistry. Arsenal Tula host promotion rivals Akron Tolyatti; whether Botaka Yoboma returns will hinge on midweek medical tests.
Yenisey travel to Baltika, a fixture Illoy Ayyet described as “a playoff before the playoffs”. In Sweden, Degerfors welcome champions-elect Malmö, a daunting task Ndinga calls “a free swing”. Serbian contenders Topola need points against Radnik, and Swiss supporters will split attention between Lausanne’s league battle at Grasshoppers and Servette’s derby with Sion.
Performance in these matches may finalize Paul Put’s squad list, expected in Brazzaville during the first week of October, according to federation sources.
A weekend echoing in Brazzaville’s football cafés
From Bucharest to Uppsala, Congolese players showcased resilience, ambition and the knack for drama that Red Devil followers cherish. As radio shows in Bacongo replay Ndinga’s thunderbolt and television panels debate Tchibota’s assist threat, optimism builds for the national team’s next chapter.
The weekend’s storyline is ultimately about momentum. Every decisive tackle in Krasnoyarsk, every sprint in Topola, feeds into a wider narrative of a squad growing in depth. If this collective hunger persists, Brazzaville’s November qualifiers could arrive with the Diables Rouges riding a genuine wave of European-forged confidence.