Sael Kumbedi: "Clinton Mata and I speak Lingala at OL"
"Clinton Mata speaks Lingala with me," says Sael Kumbedi. The two players of African descent will be competing for a place at Lyon this season.
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Angola international Clinton Mata has spent his whole career in Belgium, where he was born and raised. After 385 appearances for Kas Eupen, Charleroi, Genk and Club Brugge, with whom he won the Belgian title three times, the 31-year-old is stepping out of his comfort zone for the first time. He arrives at Olympique Lyonnais in the French Ligue 1. OL's directors brought him in for 5 million euros to cover for the departure of Malo Gusto, who left for Chelsea. He is also there to provide competition for rising star Sael Kumbedi.
"We'll see how it goes"
Signed from Le Havre just a year ago, the 18-year-old right-back took advantage of Gusto's injuries last season to get noticed, seize his chance and show he was the future at the position. But until he is an established player, he will have to share minutes this season with the experienced Clinton Mata. That doesn't worry him. "Clinton's arrival doesn't change anything for me. It's going to be healthy competition. We'll push each other and we'll see how it goes," Kumbedi said on OLPLAY, OL's TV channel. The two men already get on well, thanks to their African heritage. Both born in Europe, they nonetheless speak the language of their parents' countries. "I've had a chat with him. As he's Angolan, he speaks Lingala. We speak Lingala together. He's a good guy," said the Paris-born player, whose family is from DR Congo.
"I see Sael as my little brother"
Clinton Mata, with all his experience behind him, is also arriving at OL determined to help his "younger brother" improve. "I was young once too, people told me what to do and what not to do, so I'm trying to return the favour now. But it's like anything, if you listen and you work hard, it's bound to pay off. […]. Sael is very young, I see him as my little brother, and my aim is to help him improve. I had that role at Bruges, and at Genk with Joakim Mæhle. Over time he started to grow, we pushed each other every time and it was good for both of us. He has since signed for Atalanta Bergamo and we're still in touch," said the Angola international.
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