Christ Bongo

Background

Bongo was born in Kinshasa, Zaire, but has represented the Republic of the Congo internationally.

Career

He has played for SV Wilhelmshaven, Hannover 96, Gazélec Ajaccio, Football Club Aarau, Football Club Schaffhausen, Football Club Solothurn, Football Club Thun and Football Club 105 Libreville. His first European club was SV Wilhelmshaven of the Regionalliga Nord, the third tier of German football. In his single season at the club he made 26 league appearances, scoring six goals.

During the 1997 close season Bongo joined another Regionalliga Nord side, Hannover 96, signing a three year contract.

His Hannover debut did not come until November, when he played in a 4–0 victory against Sportfreunde Ricklingen. He continued his nomadic career in France and Switzerland with Gazélec Ajaccio and Football Club Aarau, before signing for Football Club Schaffhausen on a one year contract in 2000.

This proved to be his last goal for the club before moving on loan to Football Club Thun until the winter break. In 2004, having returned to Africa with Gabonese club Football Club 105 Libreville, he scored against Cameroon"s Bamboutos Football Club in the final of the Coupe de l"Uniffac, a competition contested by clubs from Central African countries, but finished on the losing side.

Bongo"s late equalising goal sent the match into extra time, but his team were defeated 6–5 in a penalty shootout.

Bongo signed 2006 in Angola for Sporting Cabinda and retired in 2008. His name has featured in many lists of football player"s unusual names. Bongo has been capped at international level by the Republic of the Congo national football team

In January 2001 he scored in a World Cup qualifier against Tunisia, and was one of only three Congolese players to score in the qualifying tournament.

The other were Edson Dico Minga and Walter Bakouma. In addition a Malagasy opponent scored an own goal.

Achievements

• Wilhelmshaven were involved in a struggle against relegation, but Bongo"s goals, including a late winner against SV Lurup, helped the club to finish a single place above the relegation zone. From there he moved to Football Club Solothurn, where he was top scorer, and scored the winner in a local derby against Football Club Grenchen.