Kinshasa, July 20th, 2025 (CPA) – Simba from Kolwezi, Lualaba, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was crowned champion of the 59th Congo Cup after defeating MK from Kinshasa 1-0 on Sunday at the Stade des Martyrs in the final of this competition known as the ‘President’s Cup’. After a barren first half for both sides, MK player Kashamba Mwemba was shown a red card for a foul on the left flank at the edge of MK’s penalty area. This allowed AS Simba to find the back of the net in added time through Jacques Mangoba (90th), a transfer from AC Rangers of Kinshasa. It was on this narrow 1-0 score that AS Simba defeated MK. With this victory, AS Simba won the Congo Football Cup for the first time under its new name, the ‘President’s Cup’.
MK, unable to overcome this small hurdle, missed out on tasting the delights of winning this national competition for the third time, as they did in 2013 and 2014.
AS Simba qualifies for the next CAF Cup
Following this victory, AS Simba, which succeeded AS V.Club of Kinshasa, the previous title holder, is now eligible for the next African Confederation Cup (CAF), alongside AS Maniema Union of Kindu. As a bonus for this final, Jacques Mangoba was voted ‘Man of the Match’ and named top scorer of the competition with three goals, tied with Biduaya Lusamba of MK.
In addition, at the end of the final, the Deputy Prime Minister for Transport and Communications, Jean Pierre Bemba, representing the Head of State, Félix Tshisekedi, presented the winner’s trophy to the captain of AS Simba and a cheque for USD 250,000, as well as gold medals to all his teammates.
DRC presenting the trophy
As for the unfortunate finalist MK, they received a cheque for USD 150,000, not to mention the medals due to their second place finish.
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Prizes awarded to the best teams
As for the prizes awarded to the best teams, FC Mweka, champion of the Kinshasa Provincial Football Association (Epfkin) for the 2024-2025 season, received USD 50,000, while the runner-up, Nouvelle Vie Bomoko, received USD 20,000, while US Socozaki from Butembo, semi-finalist and loser of the gala match, received USD 100,000, and finally, AC Rangers, semi-finalist, received USD 50,000.
Etoile du Kivu beats Socozaki (1-0) in gala match
Well before the final, at the same venue, Etoile du Kivu, from Bukavu in eastern DRC, beat Socozaki from Butembo in North Kivu, in the same part of the country, 1-0 on Sunday in a gala match. During this match, Etoile du Kivu scored its only goal of the game through Mfiengi Ndosimawu (39th minute). This initiative is considered a first in the history of the Congo Football Cup finals, known as the ‘President’s Cup’. ACP/