DR Congo honours football legend Pierre Ndaye Mulamba with statue at Martyrs Stadium

Pierre Ndaye Mulamba has been honoured with a statue in Kinshasa, cementing the legacy of one of African football’s greatest goalscorers more than five decades after his historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The monument has been erected at the entrance to Avenue des Huileries, directly in front of the iconic Stade des Martyrs, offering a permanent tribute to the former DR Congo international known for his remarkable exploits with the Leopards.

The unveiling represents a major moment of recognition for a player whose achievements remain deeply embedded in the history of African football.

Ndaye Mulamba, affectionately nicknamed “Mutumbula”, is still remembered across the continent for his extraordinary performance during the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

During that tournament, the legendary striker guided DR Congo to continental glory by scoring nine goals in a single edition of the competition, a record that still stands today.

More than 50 years later, no player has managed to surpass the feat, despite generations of elite African forwards competing at the tournament.

The statue now serves as a lasting reminder of the forward’s contribution to Congolese football and his enduring influence on the sport across Africa.

Positioned close to one of the country’s most symbolic football venues, the tribute is also intended to preserve the memory of the former star for younger generations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For many supporters, the monument represents more than recognition for a footballer. It symbolises a proud chapter in the nation’s sporting history and honours a player who helped place Congolese football on the continental stage.

Ndaye Mulamba’s name remains closely linked to one of the greatest individual campaigns ever produced at the Africa Cup of Nations, with his nine-goal tally continuing to challenge some of the continent’s finest modern attackers.

The decision to immortalise him outside Stade des Martyrs reflects the lasting admiration for a player widely regarded as one of DR Congo’s greatest football icons.

His achievements continue to inspire football followers in the country, while the newly erected statue ensures his legacy will remain visible in the heart of Kinshasa for years to come.