DR Congo – AS Monaco: Congolese coaches learn from Monaco's know-how
After placing the “DR Congo, Heart of Africa” tourism label on the sleeve of its match shirts, AS Monaco is moving on to a new stage of its partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A training session for coaches and heads of academies began on 13 October at the Tata Raphaël stadium in Kinshasa. Over three days, participants are to familiarise themselves with the Monaco club's working methods in developing young footballers.
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Titled “Upskilling academy coaches: passing on high standards”, the initiative brings together close to a hundred heads of Congolese training structures. The programme covers coaching philosophy, physical preparation and assessment methods. The aim is to strengthen the skills of local coaching staff and improve the way young players are looked after.
A lever to strengthen national expertise
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Sports and Leisure and of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFA). Representing the sports minister, Magloire Kasongo described the session as an opportunity to strengthen national expertise, notably through skills transfer, the sharing of experience and the adoption of modern coaching methods.
For the Congolese authorities, the initiative should help develop careers in sport and strengthen the technical and teaching capabilities of coaches.
FECOFA is banking on academies
For FECOFA, the partnership is seen as a lever for structuring Congolese football. Its fourth vice-president, Véronique Singa, said she hoped to see coaches put what they have learned at the service of young footballers.
The federal body also intends to extend the benefits of the initiative across the whole country, which is said to have more than 200 football academies, formal and informal combined.
Lessons put to the test on the pitch
The training is not confined to theoretical discussion. Participants also took to the pitch with a group of young footballers to put into practice the ideas covered during the sessions.
The work on the pitch also allowed lead trainer Sébastien Muet to see young Congolese footballers in a practical setting. “We are very proud to associate the image of AS Monaco with Congolese football,” he said.
Signed in June 2025, the contract between the DRC and the Monaco club also provides, in time, for a sports training centre and a sports medical centre to be set up. According to the information available on the agreement, the partnership is worth $1.6 million a year to AS Monaco, or $4.8 million over three years.