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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
DR Congo