During the briefing on October 16, 2023, Patrick Muyaya, Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication, addressed the issue of relocating the Super League match between TP Mazembe and Espérance Sportive from Tunis to Lubumbashi. In fact, the match was relocated due to the blocking of the equipment necessary for covering the event.
Faced with this situation, the Government Spokesperson revealed that he had discussed the issue with the Minister of Sports, Kabulo Mwana Kabulo. He explained that the Congolese Football Association Federation (FECOFA) used to contact the ministry to request the removal of materials sent by the African Football Confederation (CAF). However, he clarified that the Government received the request for removal of the materials on October 16, after CAF had already made the decision to relocate the match. He therefore stressed that it was difficult for the Government to intervene in this late situation.
Patrick Muyaya also reacted to accusations that the Government is fighting the TP Mazembe team. He said it was important to separate politics and sport, and that there should be no politicization of these kinds of administrative matters. He recalled that during the organization of the Francophonie Games, the Government had demonstrated objectivity despite national pride, and stressed that the President of the Republic attends the matches of the national team independently of the team of TP Mazembe.
In conclusion, Patrick Muyaya called for putting aside political considerations and focusing on resolving administrative issues. He recalled that responsibility for the removal of the materials fell to FECOFA and CAF, and urged not to politicize this situation.
In this article, we were able to see the reactions of the Congolese Government Spokesperson regarding the relocation of the TP Mazembe match. The article highlights the call for the separation of politics and sport, as well as the importance of treating administrative matters objectively. He also recalls that responsibility for the removal of materials rests with FECOFA and CAF. This reaction highlights the issues linked to the management of sporting events and the place of sport in Congolese society.