Bwanga Tshimen facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Raymond Bwanga Tshimenu | ||
| Date of birth | 4 January 1949 | ||
| Place of birth | Élisabethville, Belgian Congo | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1965-1981 | TP Mazembe | ||
| National team | |||
| 1970–1976 | Zaire | 28 | (2) |
|
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Raymond Bwanga Tshimenu is a famous former footballer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was born on January 4, 1949, in a city called Élisabethville. This city is now known as Lubumbashi. Bwanga was known for his amazing skills as a defender. He played a big role in African football during the 1970s.
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The "Black Beckenbauer"
Raymond Bwanga Tshimenu was a very talented defender. People often called him the "Black Beckenbauer." This special nickname came from African and French journalists. It compared him to Franz Beckenbauer, a legendary German football player. Beckenbauer was famous for his elegant and intelligent style of play. Bwanga Tshimenu played with similar grace and skill. He was known for his strong defense and smart moves on the field.
Playing for TP Mazembe
Bwanga Tshimenu played for a famous club called TP Mazembe. This team is based in Lubumbashi. He played there from 1965 to 1981. During his time with TP Mazembe, he achieved great success. In 1973, he won the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award. This award is given to the best football player in Africa. Winning it showed how skilled and important he was.
International Career with Zaire
Bwanga Tshimenu also played for his country's national team. He represented Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He played for the national team from 1970 to 1976. During this time, he played in 28 international matches. He even scored 2 goals for his country.
World Cup Appearance
One of his biggest achievements was playing in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. This was a huge event in football. It was held in West Germany. The Zaire national team made history by qualifying for this World Cup. It was the first time an African team from Sub-Saharan Africa reached the World Cup. Bwanga Tshimenu was a key player in that historic team.
Africa Cup of Nations
Bwanga also played in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. These are major competitions for African national teams. He participated in the 1972, 1974, and 1976 tournaments. His team won the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations. This was a fantastic victory for Zaire.
Recognitions and Legacy
Bwanga Tshimenu's talent was recognized even after he stopped playing. In the year 2000, he was voted the IFFHS Player of the Century for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This means he was considered the best player from his country in the 20th century. In 2006, the CAF honored him again. They selected him as one of the best 200 African football players of the last 50 years. These awards show his lasting impact on African football.
Family Connection
Raymond Bwanga Tshimenu also has a family connection in football. He is the cousin of another well-known footballer, Kazadi Mwamba.
