The original article mentions a disappointing situation encountered by the players of AS Kabasha de Goma, during their stay in Lubumbashi for the 14th Congo Women’s Football Cup. The players said they were threatened with being kicked out of their hotel, suffering from hunger and not knowing what to do. The president of TP Mazembe, Moïse Katumbi, reacted to this situation by ordering the release of funds for plane tickets to allow the players to return home to Goma.
However, in a quick response, Richard Bongania, president of AS Kabasha, denounced the attitude of the players, saying that the plane tickets had already been paid for three days ago by the airline CAA. According to him, this act of the players can be considered an outright scam.
This scenario arouses the anger of athletes in the North Kivu region, who see this act as a betrayal of their team.
It is important to note that the recent victory of TP Mazembe Feminine in the Congo Women’s Football Cup was overshadowed by this controversy. Reactions on social media are mixed, with some accusing the players of fraudulent behavior, while others express solidarity with them.
This case highlights the difficulties that women’s football players can face, both in terms of recognition and rights and residence conditions during competitions. It also highlights the importance of transparent management of financial resources and commitments to players in the world of football.
It is essential to support and promote women’s football in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to allow players to blossom in their passion and to break gender stereotypes. Measures must be taken to guarantee the rights and well-being of athletes, so that they can concentrate on their performance on the field.
The situation of the AS Kabasha players should serve as a reminder to all those involved in football, from local to national level, to ensure that the ideal conditions are created for the players, in terms of support logistics, adequate infrastructure and ethical management. Only a holistic and inclusive approach will make it possible to fully develop the potential of women’s football in the DRC and to showcase the talents of Congolese players on the national and international scene.