Linafoot: top 5 surprise scorers of the season
Several players showed a hidden goalscoring side in the DR Congo Ligue 1 during the 2024-2025 season.
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In the DR Congo this season, the average number of goals per match and per player was low in Ligue 1. The league's top scorer, Horso Mwaku of FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, finished the campaign with just 14 goals in 39 matches. Elsewhere, several players whose scoring ability had been under the radar emerged during the 2024-2025 season. Here is the top 5, compiled by Sports News Africa.
5. Nzungu Mafwana
A centre-back, Nzungu Mafwana scored 2 goals over the season. He began the campaign at OC Renaissance du Congo before moving to Daring Club Motema Pembe, where he finished the league season. He scored both goals in the regular phase, the first against AC Kuya sports and the second against AF Anges verts.
4. Allioune Badara Faty
A goalscoring goalkeeper is a rare sight, but that is exactly what Allioune Badara Faty, the Tout Puissant Mazembe keeper, has been, with 5 goals for his club this season. He was the designated penalty taker for the Corbeaux, and all 5 of his goals came from the spot.
Read also: No African cup football for Mazembe, a heavy blow for the Corbeaux
3. Souleiman Shaïbu
He, too, was a goalkeeper before being converted into a striker. Souleiman Shaïbu adapted well to the role, with a total of 6 goals over the whole season.
2. Helton Kayembe
A DR Congo champion with FC Les aigles du Congo, where he plays at centre-back, Helton Kayembe is the league's top-scoring defender this season with 7 goals. He scored important goals for his club, including the last one against TP Mazembe on the final matchday, when FC Les aigles du Congo held TP Mazembe to a draw (1-1). It was his best season since he started playing in the Congolese Ligue 1.
1. Linda Mtange
He is one of the big sensations of the Ligue 1 season. Linda Mtange, not well known at the start of the campaign, became a phenomenon as the matches went by thanks to his performances. He played a major part in FC Les aigles du Congo's title win, scoring 12 goals over the whole league season.
A midfielder by trade, Linda Mtange finished 3rd in the overall scoring charts behind Horso Mwaku of Lupopo (14 goals) and Tony Talasi of AF Anges Verts (13 goals).