Kinshasa, October 30th, 2025 (CPA).- Les Aigles du Congo from Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Maniema Union from Kindu, in the centre-east of the country, drew 0-0 on Thursday at the Stade des Martyrs, on the third day of Group B of the National Football League championship (Linafoot) championship. Despite the intensity of the match and the desire to do better, neither team was able to make a difference.
Hence the scoreless draw at half-time and even at the final whistle of this match in the 31st edition of the championship, during which AS Maniema Union, making its first appearance due to its participation in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, earned its first point of the season. As for Les Aigles du Congo, the defending champions, their quiet start to the championship has been punctuated by two draws, the first against FC Renaissance du Congo (1-1) and the second against AS Maniema Union (0-0).
The Samurai (nickname of the Congo Eagles players), who have yet to show the brilliance of last season, kept a low profile in their first match, losing 0-1 to MK, a newly promoted team.
At this stage of the competition, the Congo Eagles have only two points from three games.
‘A draw for Les Aigles du Congo, but a very good match’ (Coach)
Papy Mpoyi, coach of FC Les Aigles du Congo
In the post-match press conference, the coach of Les Aigles du Congo said that, despite the draw, his team had played well: ‘We played a good match, which was reflected in a good performance,’ said Papy Mpoyi, coach of Les Aigles du Congo.
‘It’s our best match since the start of the championship. In any case, the team is improving and its results will be assessed at the end of the season with the aim of reaching the play-offs,’ he concluded.
‘I am very happy with Maniema Union’s result’ (Coach)
Papy Kimoto, coach of AS Maniema de Kindu
Reacting to the outcome of the match, the AS Maniema Union mentor said he was very happy with his players: « I am very happy with my players and with the match itself. We tried to wrap up the game by creating lots of chances, » he said.
However, he added that the finishing somewhat betrayed his team’s attacking momentum and that, overall, he has confidence in his players, who lived up to his expectations, even if they didn’t score any goals. The Unionists’ technical staff will therefore work to address the shortcomings identified here and there.
FC Renaissance du Congo and Rangers draw (1-1)
FC Renaissance du Congo (left) and AC Rangers (right)
In the other Group B match, played at the same venue, FC Renaissance du Congo and AC Rangers, two teams from Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, drew 1-1 in their third match of the season. The highlight of this match in the 31st edition of the national championship was Jonathan Lolingo’s opening goal (7th minute) for FC Renaissance du Congo. After conceding this goal, Rangers quickly recovered, equalizing thanks to Elongo Tabu (22nd minute). The half-time whistle blew with the score at 1-1. In the second half, despite various substitutions made by both coaches in an attempt to find the back of the net, the score remained unchanged until the final whistle from the referee.
Second draw for FC Renaissance du Congo and first for AC Rangers
This final result marked the second draw in a row for Bishop Pascal Mukuna’s Renais, after their first draw on the second day against the reigning champions, Les Aigles du Congo (1-1).
In their first match of the season, FC Renaissance du Congo, back in the competition after two years in Ligue 2, lost 3-0 by default for administrative reasons to Céleste FC de Mbandaka, from Equateur, now based in Kinshasa. Thus, FC Renaissance du Congo has earned a total of 2 points out of a possible 9 after three matches. On the other hand, this is the first draw conceded by AC Rangers in three matches, including two consecutive wins against Martin Pêcheur d’Isiro (3-0, forfeit) and FC MK (3-1). However, this is the first draw conceded by AC Rangers in three games, including two consecutive wins against Martin Pêcheur d’Isiro (3-0, forfeit) and FC MK (3-1).
The two teams’ results:
In three games, FC Renaissance du Congo, Bishop Mukuna’s Oranges, have recorded one defeat and two draws, as you can see: Céleste FC-FC Renaissance du Congo (3-0, forfeit), FC Renaissance du Congo-Les Aigles du Congo (1-1) and AC Rangers-FC Renaissance du Congo (1-1). On the other hand, the Rangers Academicians have achieved two wins and one draw after three matches: AC Rangers-Martin Pêcheur (3-0, forfeit), FC MK-AC Rangers (1-3) and AC Rangers-FC Renaissance du Congo (1-1). The next fixtures for the two teams are scheduled as follows: 5 November: FC Renaissance du Congo-AS V.Club and AC Rangers-FC Les Aigles du Congo.