OTHER He was the nightmare of many defenders in Belgium: strong, explosive, and deadly inside the penalty area. Dieumerci Mbokani grew into a phenomenon at RSC Anderlecht, claiming two consecutive top scorer titles and showcasing an unparalleled combination of power and technique. But where has the Congolese striker been since his glory days in Brussels?
The early years Dieumerci Mbokani started his career in Congo, playing among others for TP Mazembe. Anderlecht brought him to Belgium, where he truly displayed his talent. Yet, he left the club for Standard Liège as a bolt from the blue. Some say it was because the staff didn't believe in him enough, others point to disciplinary reasons. For example, it is known that he once nearly set his apartment on fire by having a barbecue inside his living room. After Standard, he went on to play for Monaco and Wolfsburg before shining once again in purple and white.
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Continue reading A mercurial international career After his peak years at Anderlecht, Mbokani moved to Dynamo Kyiv in 2013. Sportingly, things went well there—he became Ukrainian champion and regularly featured in the Champions League—but it was not a long-lasting relationship. Through loan spells at Norwich City and Hull City, he found his way back to Belgium in 2017, this time with Antwerp FC. At The Great Old, he rediscovered his goal-scoring instinct. In his first two seasons, he scored freely, once again became top scorer in the Jupiler Pro League, and grew into a leader of the team. And yes, he regularly found the net against Anderlecht as well.
Always seeking adventure After his time at Antwerp (until 2021), the nomadic chapter of his career began. First Kuwait SC (where he barely played), then Beveren in Belgium's second division (2022), and finally Noah in Armenia (2023). At each of these stops, he showed flashes of his class. Since then, it seems his chapter as an active player has come to a close—although Mbokani has never officially announced his retirement.
Private life and future? Mbokani now appears to be enjoying his free time. He has four sons, one of whom is active in youth football. There is little concrete about a possible coaching career, although he might want to contribute to Congolese football in the future. What insiders confirm: despite his reputation as an enfant terrible, Mbokani is calm, courteous, and family-oriented off the pitch. He certainly had his quirks and occasionally caused headaches, but as a striker, he was one of the best Anderlecht has ever had in the modern era. A blend of pure class, strength, and instinct - one you rarely see anymore in the Jupiler Pro League. Especially his partnership with Milan Jovanović was worth its weight in gold.
