Former Ingwe coach opens about the pros and cons of the Vodacom League.
Former AFC Leopards coach Luc Eymael has let his feelings known about the Vodacom Ligue 1 (Linafoot).
The Belgian who handles FC Eloi Lupopo, believes the competitiveness of the league has opened the doors for DR Congo players to play trade overseas.
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Eymael, 65, enjoyed a four-month spell with AFC Leopards in 2013 and the much-traveled tactician moved to DR Congo in September 2024.
“It is a bit of controversy, but the league here is very, very competitive, with very, very good players, that is why you can see that there are so many Congolese players that are playing around the world, because the league here is very competitive,” Eymael told Flashscore.
Eymael has created a competitive team and turned around their fortunes from mid-table mediocrity to fighting for top honours. Lupopo are involved in a fierce title battle with perennial CAF Champions League contenders TP Mazembe.
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Currently in the league, which is divided into two zones, Group A and B, Lupopo, are sitting second in Group A with 31 points from 13 matches and they are trailing Mazembe, who are on top with 35 points, from 14 matches.
Eymael, however, said the only thing hindering the league is the poor infrastructure and transport system. “Unfortunately, the league is not competitive in matter of infrastructure, yes, if you are playing in Kinshasa, and there are good stadiums, good changing rooms, if you are playing in Lubumbashi, the same thing, good stadium, good changing room.”
He continued: “But when you are playing sometimes in some cities, it is really very difficult, already difficult to arrive in the city, airport or flights are not many in numbers.
“The airports are very, very old, and also the infrastructure when you go into the stadiums, you play in very bad artificial pitches, very old carpet, very bad changing rooms, and in insecure stadiums, reason why so many times you have pitches that are invaded by the fans, who are angry when their teams are losing matches.”
Eymael has handled many teams in Africa before including Stade Tunisien (Tunisia), Free Stars, Black Leopards, Polokwane City in South Africa and Algeria’s MC Oran.
