Bucs’ Congo bid turned down
A bid by Orlando Pirates to purchase the Democratic Republic of Congo international Diego Mutombo has been rebuffed, according to reports in the Congolese press.
Mutombo’s team AS V Club, who are the leaders as the Congolese league approaches the halfway stage, have declared they have no intention of letting the player go.
Club officials were reacting to South African reports that Mutombo, recently capped by the Congolese coach Claude LeRoy and a former under-23 international, was headed to Pirates for trails.
Mutombo, who turned 23 earlier this month, began his career at FC St Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi before moving to the Kinshasa-based club.
He has played for V Club in the CAF Champions League and recently for the DR Congo Leopards in their World Cup qualifying win over Togo in Kinshasa.
Pirates have had a steady stream of Congolese imports into the club since Gento Kambala thrilled the crowds at the old-style Orlando Stadium with his skills.
Etienne Nsunda, Patrick Kazadi, Jean-Paul Bang-Penda, Michel Babale, Felix Muamba Musasa, Makweni Mayala, Kabanga Tshamala and Blaise Lelo Mbele are among their more recent purchases over the last two decades.
