33·Legends

Bwanga Tshimen vs Paul Bonga Bonga

DR Congo against DR Congo. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

BT

Bwanga Tshimen

DR Congo · 1973–74 · CB

Almanac rating
84
Rank in DR Congo
#4 of 33
Clubs
TP Mazembe

The French and African press of the early 1970s called him the Black Beckenbauer, and in 1973 he became one of the rare defenders voted African Footballer of the Year. He won the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations with Zaire, wore number 4 at that summer's World Cup in West Germany, gave sixteen seasons to TP Mazembe, and was later named DR Congo's player of the century by IFFHS. Career record: club career at TP Mazembe.

vs
PB

Paul Bonga Bonga

DR Congo · 1958–63 · CM

Almanac rating
85
Rank in DR Congo
#2 of 33
Clubs
Daring Club Motema Pembe, Standard Liège, Royal Charleroi S.C.

In 1961 World Soccer picked him for its world XI beside Pelé, Di Stéfano and Puskás, the first African ever chosen, and a year later he became the first non-naturalised African to play a European Cup semi-final when Standard Liège met Real Madrid. Three Belgian championships at Standard between 1958 and 1963, runner-up for the 1960 Golden Shoe, and later technical director of Congo's national team. Career record: club career at Daring Club Motema Pembe, Standard Liège, Royal Charleroi S.C..

The verdict

The almanac puts Paul Bonga Bonga ahead by 1 rating point, 85 against 84.

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