The football legends, former players of the Leopards of the DRC, faced former players of FC Barcelona in a gala match which took place at the Martyrs stadium. Organized by the Ushindi group, this event delighted Congolese football fans.
Unfortunately for the former Leopards, it was the FC Barcelona team which dominated the match by scoring four consecutive goals. It was only at the end of the match that the Leopards managed to score a single goal thanks to Kulukuta Papala, former player of DCMP and TP Mazembe.
Despite their advanced age, the former FC Barcelona players showed that they had lost none of their tactical and technical skills. Legends like Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola and Belleti flaunted their talent on the pitch.
The match, initially scheduled for 4:00 p.m., started an hour late and was played in two halves of 30 minutes each. Fans were delighted to see these football icons compete against each other and were able to relive some of the best moments of their careers.
Before the match, a gala evening was organized at the Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa, during which the legends of FC Barcelona presented trophies to the former players of the Leopards, African champions in 1968 and 1974. This event made it possible to tribute to these great names in Congolese football.
Beyond the sporting aspect, this event also helped to strengthen the links between the legends of Congolese and Spanish football. It allowed fans to experience moments of nostalgia and celebrate the history of football in both countries.
This gala match will remain engraved in the memories of Congolese football fans. It offered a unique spectacle by bringing together former football stars, and allowed us to celebrate the talent and history of these players who left their mark on Congolese and Spanish football.
In a sport where generations come and go in rapid succession, this type of event allows us to pay tribute to the legends of the past while preserving their legacy and inspiring future generations. Football is a sport that transcends borders and eras, and this meeting is striking proof of that.