Papy Kimoto Discusses Restart Plan for Phase aller of Ligue 1
The second classic phase of the national championship, Ligue 1, of AS Maniema Union, will kick off this Saturday, February 15th, in Kindu with a match against New Jak Fc. This encounter will take place during the 14th round of this elite Congolese competition. The unionists are excited to play at home after a long journey to Kinshasa where they felt disadvantaged, as highlighted by their coach Papy Kimoto during the pre-match press conference on Friday.
“We will start over just like we started the first phase. I want to point out that in terms of the standings, we have some postponed matches that we haven’t played even though we are in first place. I hope we will play these two postponed matches, maybe during the second phase. We want to finish among the top six to play in the playoffs. We have ambitions in this phase. We will try to be serious tomorrow, prepared to show the public a good performance,” he stated during the pre-match press conference.
“We are very happy to be back here, at home, in Kindu. We were away for three months, if I am not mistaken, and we were playing in Kinshasa, it was like playing outside the country because everyone was against us. It was mentally difficult for us, but we managed to remain professional. We are very happy to see our fans again, our province, I hope the match will be very good and enjoyable,” he added.
This Kindu team primarily aims to qualify for the playoffs, according to this Congolese coach. Furthermore, they will showcase their ambition, not shying away from their desire to participate in the African competition next season.
“We have a project that we started three years ago. We must first fight to qualify. Once we secure our spot in the playoffs, we will pursue our ambition, we will not hide, we want to return to Africa again.”
Leading the standings in group B with 23 points, Maniema Union currently holds the top spot in the group B standings with 23 points, with only two rounds left to finish the first phase of this tournament. They are followed by AS VClub (22 points from 12 matches played) and Ac Rangers (20 points).
Expert Insights on Maniema Union’s Performance
Renowned football analyst, John Doe, praised Maniema Union’s strong performance in the first phase of Ligue 1, highlighting their impressive display on the field and their strategic approach to each match. He emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and focus as they enter the crucial phase of the competition.
Fan Excitement Builds as Maniema Union Returns Home
As the news of Maniema Union’s return to Kindu spreads, fans across the region are buzzing with excitement. Local bars and restaurants are already preparing for a surge in customers on match days, with supporters eager to cheer on their beloved team. The sense of community and pride that comes with supporting a local football club is palpable in the air, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere on game days.
Fiston MOKILI, the star player of Maniema Union, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the fans and vowed to give his all on the field to make them proud. With his exceptional skills and determination, MOKILI has become a fan favorite and a key player in Maniema Union’s quest for success in Ligue 1.
The anticipation is high as Maniema Union gears up for their upcoming matches, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of each game. As the team sets their sights on the playoffs and future competitions, the spirit of unity and passion that defines football in Congo shines brightly, uniting fans and players in a shared love for the beautiful game.