DR Congo is set to immortalise one of its greatest football icons, Pierre Ndaye Mulamba, with a statue at the iconic Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.
The monument, currently nearing completion, will be installed at the main entrance on the Huileries side of the stadium, placing the legacy of the former striker at the symbolic heart of Congolese football.
Authorities say the tribute is intended to preserve the memory of a player widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest.
Mulamba, who died in January 2019 at the age of 70 in South Africa, remains a towering figure in the history of the game on the continent.
His achievements with the national team, then known as Zaire, and at club level continue to define an era many still consider the golden age of Congolese football.
His most remarkable feat came during the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored nine goals in a single tournament, a record that still stands unmatched decades later.
That extraordinary scoring run played a key role in Zaire’s triumph in 1974, when they were crowned African champions.
At club level, Mulamba also enjoyed notable success with AS Vita Club, helping the side secure the African Cup of Champions Clubs title in 1973.
His clinical finishing and instinct in front of goal earned him widespread recognition across Africa and beyond.
The decision to erect a statue in his honour is being seen as a significant moment in preserving sporting heritage in DR Congo.
By situating the monument at one of the country’s most important sporting venues, officials aim to ensure that future generations remain connected to the legacy of a player whose impact transcended his era.
Mulamba, affectionately known as “Mutumbula”, is remembered not only for his goals but also for his contribution to the national team’s historic qualification for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, a landmark achievement for the country.
Although an official unveiling date for the statue has not yet been confirmed, the initiative is widely viewed as a long-overdue recognition of his influence on African football.
It also reflects a broader effort to celebrate figures who have shaped the continent’s sporting identity.
For many in DR Congo and across Africa, Mulamba’s story remains one of excellence, resilience, and national pride.
His record-breaking exploits and contributions to club and country have ensured his place among the legends of the game.
