Ilombe Mboyo

Ilombe Mboyo (born 22 April 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Sint-Truidense, as a striker. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and raised in Belgium, Mboyo originally represented DR Congo internationally before switching to represent the Belgium national team.

Ilombe Mboyo
Mboyo with Genk in 2014
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-04-22) 22 April 1987
Place of birth Kinshasa, DR Congo (then Zaire)
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sint-Truidense
Number 7
Youth career
1997–2001 Anderlecht
2001–2002 Eendracht Aalst
2002–2005 Club Brugge
2005–2008 Charleroi
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Charleroi 40 (3)
2010–2011 Kortrijk 21 (6)
2011–2013 Gent 80 (37)
2013–2015 Genk 43 (13)
2015–2018 Sion 24 (4)
2017–2018 → Cercle Brugge (loan) 10 (4)
2018–2021 Kortrijk 66 (23)
2019 → Al-Raed (loan) 13 (2)
2021– Sint-Truidense 0 (0)
National team
2011 DR Congo 1 (0)
2012 Belgium 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:44, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Mboyo played youth football for Anderlecht and Club Brugge, before going to prison when he was 17 for his part in a gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in 2004. Mboyo was a member of one of the most notorious street gangs in Belgium.[1][2][3][4] While in prison, Mboyo was scouted under an initiative started by Queen Paola of Belgium[5] and trained with Charleroi, joining the club after his release, signed by John Collins.[4] He joined Kortrijk on loan in May 2010; the deal was made permanent in September 2010[4] He moved to Gent in January 2011.[6]

He quickly became an important player for Gent and received the captain's armband.[4] Two months later, however, in a game against Waasland-Beveren, Mboyo missed a carelessly taken penalty and provoked his own supporters after being booed. The club forced him to apologize for his behaviour and youngster Hannes van der Bruggen became the new captain.[7]

In August 2013, West Ham United pulled out of signing Mboyo after fans protested due to his conviction.[8]

On 3 February 2019, Al-Raed has signed Mboyo for one seasons from Kortrijk.[9]

In January 2021, Mboyo joined fellow Belgian First Division A side Sint-Truidense on a permanent deal.[10]

Career statistics
As of match played 16 May 2019[6]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sporting Charleroi 2008–09 Belgian First Division 1530000153
2009–10 Belgian Pro League 2501000260
Total 4031000413
Kortrijk 2010–11 Belgian Pro League 2162000236
Gent 2010–11 Belgian Pro League 1221100133
2011–12 Belgian Pro League 321430003514
2012–13 Belgian Pro League 342031003721
2013–14 Belgian Pro League 21000021
Total 803772008739
Genk 2013–14 Belgian Pro League 245104[lower-alpha 1]0295
2014–15 Belgian Pro League 1981000208
Total 431320004513
Sion 2017–18 Swiss Super League 2441100255
Total 2441100255
Cercle Brugge (loan) 2016–17 Belgian First Division A 1040000104
Kortrijk 2018–19 Belgian First Division A 2072000227
Al-Raed (loan) 2018–19 Saudi Professional League 1320000132
Career totals 251761534027079
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International career

In August 2011 Mboyo played for the DR Congo national team in the 3–0 defeat against Gambia.[11] However, as this was a friendly game, he remained eligible for Belgium. In October 2012, Mboyo was called up to the senior Belgium national team. Due to his conviction, the selection was controversial. Assistant manager Vital Borkelmans said that he deserved a second chance, while François De Keersmaecker, President of the Royal Belgian Football Association, said that his presence could set a good example.[2] He made his debut on the 16th in a 2–0 win over Scotland in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, replacing Christian Benteke for the final four minutes at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.[12]

References
  1. Patrick Nathanson (24 September 2013). "Ilombe Mboyo: Prison, stardom and a terrible past". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  2. Gavin Berry (12 October 2012). "Belgians defiant over rapist inclusion in their squad against Scotland". Daily Record and Sunday Mail.
  3. Paul Doyle and James Riach (12 October 2012). "World Cup qualifiers: 10 things to look forward to this weekend". Guardian News Group PLC.
  4. John Chapman (10 October 2012). "Ilombe Mboyo's long road to an international call-up". When Saturday Comes.
  5. "Ilombe Mboyo: Charlton Athletic deny move for convicted rapist". BBC Sport. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  6. Ilombe Mboyo at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  7. "Ilombe Mboyo excuseert zich bij fans AA Gent en levert aanvoerdersband in" [Mboyo apologizes towards fans of AA Gent and dismisses captain's armband] (in Dutch). Sport/Voetbalmagazine. 10 December 2012.
  8. Lewis, Darren (5 August 2013). "West Ham abandon transfer interest in striker Ilombe Mboyo as rape conviction sparks fan protests". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  9. Al-Raed is officially signed by Ilombe Mboyo
  10. "ILOMBE MBOYO IS EEN KANARIE!" (in Dutch). Sint-Truidense V.V. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  11. "Gambia vs. DR Congo (3:0)". National Football Teams.
  12. Moffat, Colin (16 October 2012). "Belgium 2-0 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
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