Last April's announcement by the Congolese Ministry of Sport and Leisure that the "Fatshi Cup", an international football tournament for under-20s, was to be held in Kinshasa, provoked strong reactions. Many doubts were expressed as to the appropriateness of organising such a competition in a country where the elite championship has been at a standstill for months due to a lack of funding for team travel. Nearly two months later, the Ministry is still determined to go ahead with the initiative.
On 23 May, the Ministry confirmed that the first edition of the Fatshi Cup would be held from 30 June (kick-off) to the weekend of 7-9 July (final) at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte in Kinshasa. Meanwhile, the 2022-2023 national football championship has been officially "cancelled" by the normalisation committee of the Fédération congolaise de football association (FECOFA). The decision was prompted by a "lack of financial resources for club and official travel" and a "lack of time to organise the remaining matches in the first half of the season".
Although the clubs had expressed their desire to continue the championship from December until April, no solution has been found to the logistical problems, particularly those relating to air transport.
The last match of the national championship took place in December 2022, depriving football fans of their passion and players of their profession. However, Kinshasa is preparing to host football matches again, with the Fatshi Cup tournament preceding the IX Games of La Francophonie.
The Fatshi Cup: what's the aim?
The Ministry of Sport and Leisure presented the Fatshi Cup as an initiative resulting from the collaboration between the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, and the current Minister, Claude François Kabulo Mwana Kabulo.
FECOFA, which is responsible for managing the technical aspects of organising the tournament, had announced that FIFA would cover all the costs. However, this raised questions as to who was really behind the competition. During his visit to Kinshasa in April, the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Véron Mosengo-Omba, stated that there was "total confusion" on the subject and that "the initiative did not come from FIFA or CAF". He added that if the UNIFFAC zone (Union of Central African Football Associations) wished to organise a youth tournament, CAF would support it, as its objective is to promote the development of football.
Club managers have no problem with the initiative, as long as it is for the good of Congolese football. The management of TP Mazembe, one of the country's biggest clubs, led by Moïse Katumbi, declined to comment on the tournament.
According to the Ministry of Sport and Leisure, the Fatshi Cup aims to develop young footballers and prepare future talent for the national teams. This competition is not intended to be a one-off event, but rather a long-term tournament to support the development of African football.
UNIFFAC approval
When the Fatshi Cup was announced, the Ministry of Sport and Leisure declared its intention to open the tournament up to the nations of the Central African zone united within UNIFFAC. This regional confederation has agreed to take part. The name "Fatshi Cup" did not raise any problems for UNIFFAC.
Six of UNIFFAC's eight member nations have confirmed their participation in the competition, which will take place in Kinshasa from 25 June. Equatorial Guinea is currently negotiating to join the tournament.
Funding for the Fatshi Cup has already been secured, with financial participation from UNIFFAC, FECOFA and CAF, in addition to support from the Congolese government.
The national Under-20 team will represent the DRC at the inaugural Fatshi Cup. The team is currently being prepared, with friendly matches scheduled before the start of the tournament.
This same Under-20 team will also represent the DRC at the football tournament of the IX Games of La Francophonie, to be held in Kinshasa from 28 July to 6 August 2023.
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