Archi Fataki: DR Congo-French forward retires from football at 37 after SPS Football spell

DR Congo-French centre-forward Archi Fataki has called time on his playing career at the age of 37, retiring after his final stint with French side SPS Football. The attacker, who was born in Toulouse and stands at 1.88m, ends a long-running career spent operating through the middle of the front line.

Fataki’s retirement brings to a close a journey that began in the French system and took him across several countries and divisions. A right-footed striker, he most recently played for SPS Football following his move there in January 2024 from Diables Noirs on a free transfer.

Across his senior career, Fataki featured in a variety of leagues, including the French National divisions, the Challenger Pro League in Belgium, Albania’s Kategoria Superiore and the BGL Ligue in Luxembourg. His best scoring return in a single league campaign came in France’s National 2, where he once hit 14 goals in 22 appearances, underlining his threat as a penalty-box presence at that level.

Before joining SPS Football, he represented Diables Noirs and SC Balma, having earlier spells with St-Eloi Lupopo and Schiltigheim after a move from FC Rouen 1899. His path also included time with clubs such as MDA Chasselay, Pr. Niederkorn, KS Lushnja and KS Kastrioti, following an early departure from Toulouse’s reserve side.

Fataki, whose dual DR Congo and French nationality framed a career spent largely in European and African club football, officially made the switch from SPS Football to retired status on 21 July 2026.