Congo Cup

The Congo Cup (officially called the Zaire Cup between 1971 and 1990) is one of the main national football competitions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, managed directly by FECOFA.

Its status within Congolese football has been shaped by many reforms, periods of crisis and political reorganizations.

A competition often synonymous with the national championship

On several occasions, without a structured championship or because of logistical crises, the Congo Cup served as the country’s premier, and sometimes only, competition:

From 1964 to 1968
The national championship did not exist. Congo Cup results served as the national championship.
From 1971 to 1978
President Mobutu, who used football to win over the population, decided to temporarily separate the Cup and the championship; the change lasted only a few years.
In 1985
The Zaire Cup was organized as the country’s top competition, relegating the Challenge Papa Kalala to second place.
From 1992 to 1999
Following serious organizational problems within Linafoot, the men’s national championship ceased to exist. The national Cup (then under FEZAFA, FECOFA’s former name) again became the only competition of national scope. Its winner qualified for the African Cup of Champions Clubs and its runner-up for the CAF Cup, while a new competition, the Independence Cup, sent its winner to the African Cup Winners’ Cup.

Alternative cups and restructurings

To fill gaps in the calendar or meet the requirements of African bodies, the Federation created and then dissolved other national cups:

The Independence Cup (1992-1995)
Permanently dissolved in 2000, during a global reorganization of the Congo Cup and the championship.
The FECOFA Cup (2001-2003)
Created in 2001 to make up for the temporary absence of the national Cup, it was dissolved in 2003, once the traditional Congo Cup was restored.

Congo Cup

A competition often synonymous with the national championship

From 1964 to 1968

From 1971 to 1978

In 1985

From 1992 to 1999

Alternative cups and restructurings

The Independence Cup (1992-1995)

The FECOFA Cup (2001-2003)

Congo Cup

A competition often synonymous with the national championship

From 1964 to 1968

From 1971 to 1978

In 1985

From 1992 to 1999

Alternative cups and restructurings

The Independence Cup (1992-1995)

The FECOFA Cup (2001-2003)