Mputu casting the net

By James Waindi In Kigali

After many achievements with TP Mazembe, Africa player of the year Tresor Mputu Mabi is targeting a move to Europe’s big clubs to try out new challenges.

Watching him play is fun for football enthusiasts. His dummies are good. He can g through any defence with his tricks and is lethal in front of goal. This is why many European clubs are chasing the signature of the diminutive striker for years. He believes time is now to try new challenges.

He was linked with a move to English Premier League side Arsenal in 2008 after finishing as the top scorer in the 2007 Africa Champions League and had a 10-day trial, but the move never materialised.

He has also been linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspurs, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth, Fulham, Hull City, Olympiakos of Greece, Egypt’s Al Ahli and Anderletch.

Speaking to FeverPitch after his team qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2010 Cecafa Club Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, the lively striker said he had showed his commitment and faith for the club that nurtured him and would now like to test new waters.

Continental trophy

But he notes that he would like to help Mazembe retain the continental trophy before he leaves the Lubumbashi-based club.

"Many clubs have contacted me including Arsenal, Spurs, Hull City, Anderletch, Olympiakos and Glasgow Rangers, but I wanted to ensure that I steer Mazembe to the Champions League title which we had never won for almost 40 years.

"I have achieved that and won many local league titles and I would like to try other challenges now, but I hope I can stay a little longer and help Mazembe retain the continental trophy," said Mputu, who is said to be earning $100,000 (Sh7.5m) a month at Mazembe.

European clubs

Mputu, 24, said his love for the club made him stay this long despite early interest from top European clubs, where many African stars dream to play at.

"It is not all about money.The passion of football in my country is huge. Our fans love me and the club and I really feel at home while playing in Lubumbashi.

"I could have moved to Europe two years ago, but I felt I had to achieve something big first with Mazembe and I also knew it was not the right time for me to move. Now I think I can move," said Mputu, who also steered DR Congo to last year’s inaugural Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) title.

Mazembe’s French coach Diego Garzitto talks big about the striker and says he would be pivotal in his campaign for a successful title defence, but says they cannot stop him if he desires to leave.

"He has the scoring ability of Samuel Eto’, the speed of Lionel Messi and the creativity of Xavi. What else would you need from a player?

"His expected departure was pronounced after clubs struggled for his signature in the January transfer window, but I want to inform our opponents that he is still ours," said the coach.

. The treasure of Congolese football is not yet gone," said Garzitto.

Mazembe who won the continental title last year after beating Nigeria’s Heartland in the final, have been drawn in Group A for the group phase of the premier continental club championship against former winners Entente Setis of Algeria, Tunisia’s Esperance and Dynamos of Zimbabwe.