N'Dinga Mbote explained

N'Dinga Mbote
Fullname:N'Dinga Mbote Amily
Birth Date:11 September 1966
Birth Place:Kinshasa, DR Congo
Position:Midfielder
Years1:1983–1986
Years2:1986–1996
Caps2:285
Goals2:16
Years3:1998–2001
Nationalyears1:1988–1996
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:1

N'Dinga Mbote Amily (born 11 September 1966) is a Congolese retired footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Club career

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, Mbote arrived at Vitória S.C. in Portugal at the age of only 20, signing from AS Vita Club. He played with the Minho side for one full decade, always competing in the Primeira Liga and sharing teams with countryman Basaula Lemba during five seasons.

N'Dinga (as he was known in Portugal), helped Vitória to five UEFA Cup qualifications, his best season being 1990–91 when he played in all 38 games – the league was then composed of 20 teams – and scored two goals, for a final ninth place.

Mbote was the centerpiece of a scandal in Portuguese football that involved his team and Académica de Coimbra: after the 1987–88 campaign, Académica was relegated following an unsuccessful protest regarding an irregular use of the player. Following a lengthy judicial battle, the two clubs ceased their relations for decades.[1]

International career

Mbote played for the Zaire national team during one decade, his debut coming in 1988. He appeared in three matches at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ainda o caso N'dinga.... Still the N'dinga Affair.... Vitória SC – As verdades. Portuguese. 16 June 2007. 1 June 2011.
  2. Web site: African Nations Cup 1994 – Final Tournament Details. RSSSF. Courtney, Barrie. 15 August 2005. 12 August 2009.