Kinshasa, February 22nd, 2026 (CPA) – A former member of the Congolese Football Association Federation (Fecofa) credited the late Joseph Mukeba, former FIFA instructor from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with securing the country’s four slots for CAF interclub competitions. “If the DRC benefits today from the quota of four representatives in CAF interclubs, it is thanks to Joseph Mukeba, then coach of TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, in southeastern DRC,” said Bobo Bondembe, former Fecofa member.
Bondembe delivered his testimony at the Protestant Cathedral of the Cinquantenaire during tributes to Joseph Mukeba Mulamba, who passed away on January 23rd and was buried Saturday at N’sele Bambous Cemetery, east of the capital.
According to Bondembe, following a Mazembe victory under Mukeba’s coaching against a Maghreb team, the DRC was granted the four representative slots in CAF interclub competitions. He added that this quota remains a legacy for the nation.
Mukeba: Guide of the First Steps for the National Women’s Football Commission
Lily Tshimpumpu, Fecofa Secretary-General, said the deceased was the guide for the early stages of the National Women’s Football Commission. “Appointed to head the National Women’s Football Commission of Fecofa, I worked under Joseph Mukeba, the head of the National Technical Directorate. We received instructions from him as a guide for the initial steps of the commission,” she said. For Tshimpumpu, Joseph Mukeba’s death represents an immeasurable loss for the DRC and Fecofa in terms of training coaches.
Football: A Lifelong Passion for Joseph Mukeba
Marcel Mayala, former international goalkeeper of the DRC, was the first to speak at the tributes, declaring that football was Mukeba’s unwavering passion. “Football was Joseph Mukeba’s passion. Indeed, it was his life. A life that led him to head the technical staff of about twenty major clubs in the DRC, including the Léopards A national team,” he said, recalling Mukeba’s stints with clubs such as AC Sodigraf, AS Dragons, AS V.Club, Langwey (Kisenso), Coca-Cola (corporate team in Kinshasa), TP Mazembe, Saint Eloi Lupopo, US Tshinkunku, and even AmaZulu in South Africa.
Mukeba: A Teacher of Human Values
In addition to coaching, Marcel Mayala noted, Mukeba instilled human values in his players, such as discipline and mutual respect. He was a reassuring guide, especially in times of defeat.
Doctor turned coach at a distance, in Mukeba’s absence” – Dr. Bungu
Dr. Bungu Kakala, former doctor of the Léopards, recounted that he was asked to coach the team in Botswana while Mukeba stayed in Kinshasa for administrative reasons. “From Kinshasa, through me, he coached the match remotely, which we won. To this day, the national public is unaware of this,” he said.
Mukeba lives eternally in us” – Family
At the end of the service, Mukeba’s children, now fatherless, spoke on behalf of the family: “Your memories will be our collective strength; your love will guide our path. In short, Mukeba is not dead. He lives in our veins.” stated one of his kids