**Mambasa, a mirror for Congolese sport: the debacle of the “Tournament of Peace”**
On January 31, the Tata Mirindi stadium in Mambasa was the scene of a disturbing scene, revealing the underlying tensions that are plaguing the football world in Congo. The match was supposed to be a celebration of the values of conviviality and harmony promoted by the “Tournament of Peace”. Instead, it turned into a violent confrontation between the public, the players and the organizers.
### A sea of misunderstandings
The conflict that shook Mambasa was born from a lexical and administrative misunderstanding: the request of CS Piloli Bakolo Mangenda to exclude a player from FC Amani 4X4, accused of having received a red card in a previous match. FC Amani, for its part, categorically denied the veracity of this accusation, based on the lack of tangible evidence. In the world of football, red cards are crucial to framing the behavior of players. The lack of transparent communication between clubs and referees has created a spiral of frustration, quickly exploited by a crowd already waiting for thrills on the field.
### The absence of authority: an echo beyond the fields
The incidents in Mambasa are not isolated cases but highlight a broader problem: the lack of rigor in the organization of sports in Congo. According to recent statistics, more than 65% of matches in lower leagues in Congo take place without the presence of trained referees. This lack of supervision not only leads to atrocities on the field, but also endangers spectators, who turn into actors of unexpressed violence.
Testimonies from members of the Cercle de football de Mambasa (CEFOMA) reveal poor match management. The two assistant referees, who snubbed the match, made the situation worse by failing to fulfill their crucial role. In addition, the central referee, despite the player’s expulsion, faced an impasse: the absence of cards destroyed his authority. This administrative failure highlighted the importance of a rigorous framework for conducting football matches.
### Sustainability and reconstruction: a call to action
Mungeni Imurani, president of the territorial civil society, urged a serious questioning of methods and procedures in local sport. The recommendation to train players and the public on FIFA’s laws of football goes beyond the simple framework of the tournament. It is a necessity to prevent such debacles in the future. Such an effort could include regular seminars, awareness-raising sessions and the creation of accessible educational content, particularly via social media platforms that now occupy a prominent place in contemporary communication..
### The role of media and sponsors
The incident is not only indicative of poor organization, but also highlights the passive role that media and sponsors can play in promoting local football. By promoting live matches and engaging in discussions around the rules and issues of football, they could establish a culture of accountability. For example, a partnership with organizations such as UNICEF could help to proactively address issues of violence and security on the pitch.
### Conclusion: Football as a societal indicator
Through the prism of the “Peace Tournament,” Mambasa highlights not only the major challenges facing Congolese football, but also the critical need for structural reform. Tuesday’s incidents should serve as a catalyst for meaningful change, beyond simple physical repairs. Rebuilding the stadium fence, even with durable materials, is only a temporary measure. It is a transformation of the organizational culture and a collective awareness that must now take hold.
Football is more than just a sport in the Democratic Republic of Congo; it is a factor of unity and a reflection of social tensions. Thus, this incident in Mambasa could well be the opportunity for a new beginning for football in Ituri, but without immediate and collective action, it risks being just another dark page in the history of a sport in search of identity.