Julien Kialunda (24 April 1940 – 14 September 1987[1]) was a Congolese footballer. He was one of the first Congolese footballers to play professionally in Europe.[2] He represented Zaire at the 1972 African Cup of Nations.[3]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 24 April 1940 | ||
Place of birth | Matadi, Belgian Congo | ||
Date of death | 14 September 1987 | (aged 47)||
Place of death | Antwerp, Belgium | ||
Position(s) | Central defender | ||
Youth career | |||
1960 | Daring Léopoldville | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1960–1965 | Union Saint-Gilloise | ||
1965–1973 | Anderlecht | 123 | (3) |
1973–1980 | Léopold FC | ||
International career | |||
1972 | Zaire | 5 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Club career
editKialunda played for Union Saint-Gilloise, RSC Anderlecht and Léopold FC in Belgium.[1] He was a four-time Belgian league champion with Anderlecht.
International career
editKialunda represented Zaire at the 1972 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, starting in all five of his team's matches as Zaire finished fourth.[3]
Post-career
editAfter his retirement, Kialunda as the national coach of the Zaire national team, though without much success. He also owned a cafe in the Brussels neighborhood of Matonge, known for its predominantly African population. In 1987, after falling ill with AIDS, he returned to Belgium for treatment and died on 14 September of that year.
In his memory, the "Julien Kialunda Foundation" was established, dedicated to supporting worthy causes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The foundation is sponsored by professional players of African origin who play or grew up in Belgium, like the brothers Mbo and Émile Mpenza, Mohammed Tchité and Anthony Vanden Borre.[4]
Honours
editUnion Saint-Gilloise
Anderlecht
- Belgian First Division: 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1971–72
- Belgian Cup: 1971–72, 1972–73
- Belgian League Cup: 1973
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup runners-up: 1969–70
References
edit- ^ a b "Julien Kialunda". www.voetbal.com. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ C. Onwumechili; G. Akindes (8 April 2014). Identity and Nation in African Football: Fans, Community and Clubs. Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 289–. ISBN 978-1-137-35581-2.
- ^ a b "African Nations Cup 1972 - Final Tournament Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ Benoît Delhauteur (30 November 2006). "VdB, Tchité et les frères Mpenza parrains de la fondation Kialunda". www.dhnet.be. Retrieved 3 May 2018.