African footballers in Europe: Chancel Mbemba

Democratic Republic of Congo captain Chancel Mbemba has been told he is surplus to requirements by new Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi, but it should not be too hard for the 29-year-old utility back to find new employment.

Mbemba might have fallen foul of one coach, but there are plenty of other admirers around the footballing world for the strong-as-teak defender, adept at either centre back or full back and also with a proven track record as a defensive midfielder.

He has already proved his stripes not only for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations finals but also at club level with Anderlecht in Belgium, Newcastle United, FC Porto and for the last two seasons at Marseille.

In his first season at Marseille, Mbemba won the Marc-Vivien Foe award as the best African player in Ligue 1.

He still has one year left on his contract but will be looking for a way out, which will come as a major disappointment to Marseille fans who have enjoyed his tenacious and educated approach to the game.

Mbemba is a man of few words, preferring to deliver big smiles. “I keep my silence and I stay in my corner, I’ve created my life on the side,” he explains.

But he does have plenty to say about “his big brother” in Newcastle, the late Ivory Coast international Cheik Tioté, who drove him to training every day and was his neighbour when they both played at the Premier League club.

Mbemba hails from Kinshasa’s Mososo district and, as a teenager, had ambitions of being an electrician, but he impressed on the field. He was nicknamed ‘Axe’. “Like the deodorant, a tribute to clean defenders,” he quips.

FOLLOWING IN KOMPANY'S FOOTSTEPS

He had no hesitation in leaving home while still a teenager to join Anderlecht to try and imitate “the legend”, Vincent Kompany, one of his heroes when he was growing up.

“He means everything to me,” says Mbemba. “He has Congolese roots, he was a big part of the history of Anderlecht before conquering the Premier League. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. We have kept in touch, he sends me messages to advise me. When things aren't going well, I ask him for advice.”

When he arrived at Anderlecht, Mbemba first slept in accommodation at the training centre, and fondly remembers “breakfasts altogether” with his new teammates before training. “It was paradise for me”. Teammate Nathan Kabasele, a former Belgium under-21 international striker but with parents from DR Congo, took him home to “eat African”.

Mbemba constantly returns to Belgium. “As soon as I have the opportunity to go to the club (Anderlecht), I go there, I ring the bell, I say my name, the door opens and I go in. I go to the gym there on my vacation. It's my family, I'm supporter number 001, I watch all the matches.”

It was also there that he met his wife through his friendship with Paul-José Mpoku, another Belgian-born Congolese. Mpoku is married to Melissa and Chancel fell in love with her sister, Sophia. “When they got married, outdoors, it was raining all around, Belgian weather. Everywhere, except at the ceremony,” remembers Mpoku.

Mbemba has now been in Europe since 2013 with a new adventure awaiting. His next step will be keenly watched, not least by Congolese supporters hoping he will lead them to the next World Cup.