Robert Kidiaba Explained

Robert Kidiaba
Fullname:Robert Kidiaba Muteba
Birth Date:1 February 1976
Birth Place:Lubumbashi, Zaire
Height:1.82 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Years1:2001
Clubs1:AS Saint-Luc
Years2:2002–2016
Clubs2:TP Mazembe
Caps2:681
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2002–2015
Nationalteam1:DR Congo
Nationalcaps1:61
Nationalgoals1:0

Robert Kidiaba Muteba (born 1 February 1976) is a Congolese politician and former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He spent most of his club career with TP Mazembe, whilst at international level he collected 61 caps playing for the DR Congo national team.

Club career

Born in Lubumbashi, Kidiaba played club football for AS Saint-Luc and TP Mazembe. With TP Mazembe he played at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup and 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, making a total of five appearances in the tournament across both years. In 2010 he reached the final with Mazembe, who became the first club outside South America and Europe to reach a Club World Cup final.[1]

International career

Kidiaba made his international debut for the DR Congo national team in 2002, and has appeared for them in 11 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.[2] In December 2014 he announced he would retire from international duty after the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations,[3] in January 2015 he was named in the 23-man squad for the tournament,[4] and in February 2015 he indicated that he might not retire after the tournament.[5]

Political career

In May 2015 it was announced that Kidiaba and teammate Jean Kasusula would stand for the National Party for Democracy and Development at forthcoming elections.[6]

He was elected a Member of Parliament for Upper Katanga Province in January 2019.[7]

Personal life

Kidiaba works as an ambassador for the Peace One Day charity.[8]

He is married and has three children.[9]

He is "famed for the 'bum shuffle' goal celebration" which consists of "bouncing around his penalty area on his backside."[3] The move is a fan favourite.[10]

Honours

DR Congo

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mazembe donkey dance into history 10 great Club World Cup moments . FIFA . 5 November 2023 . 28 January 2023.
  2. Web site: FIFA Player Statistics: Robert KIDIABA - FIFA.com. 7 November 2012. web.archive.org.
  3. Web site: Kidiaba to end DR Congo career after 2015 Nations Cup. 6 December 2014. 3 February 2015. Oluwashina Okeleji. BBC Sport.
  4. Web site: 2015 Nations Cup: Yannick Bolasie in DR Congo squad. 9 January 2015. 5 February 2015. BBC Sport.
  5. Web site: Afcon 2015: Robert Kidiaba says he may continue for DR Congo. 4 February 2015. 5 February 2015. Piers Edwards. BBC Sport.
  6. Web site: Mazembe's Robert Kidiaba and Jean Kasusula turn to politics. 26 May 2015. 10 June 2015. Kennedy Gondwe. BBC News.
  7. Web site: Ex-TP Mazembe goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba elected Member of Parliament in Congo | Goal.com. www.goal.com.
  8. Web site: Kidiaba to focus on DR Congo unity. 11 April 2014. 7 December 2014. Kennedy Gondwe. BBC Sport.
  9. Web site: Profile. 3 February 2015. TP Mazembe. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034456/http://www.tpmazembe.com/en/team/squad/robert-kidiaba. 4 March 2016.
  10. Web site: Robert Kidiaba's 'bouncing bottom' enthrals football fans. 3 February 2015. 5 February 2015. BBC News.
  11. News: 2015 Nations Cup: Yannick Bolasie in DR Congo squad. 9 January 2015. 15 January 2020. en-GB.