** Sports momentum in Kinshasa: reflections on the “Uni Plateau” tournament **
On June 4, 2025, the sports scene in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was marked by an intense match where Cosmopolite FC triumphed over the Viga team, winning by 1-0 during the knockout stages of the “Uni Plateau” tournament. Organized by Ben Malongo, an international and emblematic footballer figure in the country, this tournament seems not only to offer a competition platform, but also promote values of unity and solidarity within the community.
### A tense match
The match, played on the Sadelmi field in Masina, revealed a dynamic of play that deserves to be underlined. Although the first period was marked by missed occasions on both sides, the intensification of the game control by cosmopolitan in the second half allowed David Kalume to score the decisive goal in the 70th minute. This moment, although revealed as the culmination of a series of collective efforts, raises the question of the management of opportunities by the teams and the strategy to adopt in a tournament with direct elimination.
### Sports environment reaction
Cosmopolitan’s victory also led to his advance around the quarter-finals, where they will meet AS Nourllah, qualified after his 2-0 victory against Junkomat, illustrated by a double Lusinga treasure. This sporting success raises questions about the preparation and competitiveness of other committed clubs. It would be interesting to look at the factors that determine success in this type of tournament: logistical support, mental preparation of players, as well as the involvement of coaches.
### The social dimension of sport
Beyond sporting results, these events refer to broader issues. The “Plateau Uni” tournament presents itself as a precious opportunity for social gathering, where sports rivalries become vectors of community unit and cohesion. In a country marked by considerable socio-economic challenges, sport can serve as catharsis and meeting point for people from various backgrounds. What are the opportunities to seize to strengthen this dynamic and encourage the commitment of young people to positive sports activities?
### The challenges to overcome
However, it is relevant to wonder whether sports development in the DRC has real institutional support. Private initiatives, like that of Ben Malongo, are laudable, but could the state play a more central role in promoting sport? More robust support could transform these events into pillars of local development, even national. The question of the sports infrastructure, moreover, remains crucial: how to guarantee safe facilities adapted to the practice of sport for the benefit of all?
### Conclusion
The success of Cosmopolite and AS Nourllah in the “Uni Plateau” tournament sheds light on the multiple realities of sport in the DRC. Football, as a vector of national identity and unity, must be amplified by informed policies and sustained involvement. This tournament is not only a series of matches, but an opportunity to reflect on the future of sport and society in the DRC. To what extent can these sporting events help shape a peaceful and hopeful future for the younger generations? The answer to this question invites collective participation and concerted efforts to transform the potential of sport into a positive social change lever.