| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 April 1933 | ||
| Place of birth | Ebonda, Belgian Congo[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder[2] | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1952–1954 | Union | ||
| 1954–1957[2] | Motema Pembe | ||
| 1957–1963[2] | Standard Liège | ||
| 1963–1967[2] | Charleroi | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Paul Bonga Bonga (born 25 April 1933) is a Congolese footballer of the 1950s and 1960s. A midfielder, he rose to prominence during his time in Belgium at Standard Liège[3] and was perhaps best remembered as the first African footballer to be selected in the World Soccer Magazine world XI, when he was chosen in 1961.[1]
Bonga was born in Ebonda. He started playing football barefoot, in 1948 for the Golden Lion and then for Sporting, St. Anne College team. In 1950, he joined Union and put on his first boots. He was transferred in 1952 to Daring Club Motema Pembe. In 1956, while on a European tour, he was noticed by sports journalists, particularly for his match against the Standard Liège. In late 1957 he was invited to Standard, and became Belgian champion in the seasons of 1958–1960.
In 1960, Bonga Bonga finished as runner-up to Paul Van Himst in voting for the Soulier d'Or, the Belgian Golden Shoe. It was the only occasion in the first twenty years of the award that a non-Belgian player finished in the top three players of the year.[4]
In 1961, World Soccer Magazine selected Bonga Bonga in the World XI, alongside Pelé, Alfredo Di Stefano or Ferenc Puskás. He was rewarded for his pace, energy and fine skills that made him the motor of a strong Standard Liege team.[5]
In 1962, Bonga Bonga became the first non-naturalised African player to feature in the semi-final of the European Cup.[4]
After playing for more than 10 years in Belgian clubs, Bonga retired in 1970 and became a coach at FC Tubize. After returning home in 1972, Bonga led Daring Club Motema Pembe before assuming the post of President Sportif. In 1991, he was appointed National Technical Director of the Leopards (present-day Simba).