Linafoot
Football league in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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The Linafoot is the top division of the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA), the governing body of football in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was created in 1958.
1990 (as Linafoot)
DR Congo| Founded | 1958 (as Coupe du Congo) 1990 (as Linafoot) |
|---|---|
| Country | DR Congo |
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) |
| Number of clubs | 25 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Linafoot Ligue 2 |
| Domestic cup | Coupe du Congo |
| International cup(s) | CAF Champions League CAF Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | TP Mazembe (2025–26) |
| Most championships | TP Mazembe (21 titles) |
| Top scorer | Tresor Mputu (165 goals) |
| Website | linafoot |
| Current: 2025-26 Linafoot | |
In 2010 the competition was renamed the Vodacom Super League following the signing of a five-year sponsorship deal with communications company Vodacom.[1] The 2012 championship was the first in the country's history played in a long-season championship of 14 teams who were removed from their regional leagues for the first time. Prior to that, all regional champions were qualified to the national stage for the winner to be determined.
In 2013, the highest Linafoot attendance was set in a match between AS Vita Club and DC Motema Pembe, which saw an attendance of 80,000 at the Stade des Martyrs. In 2025, the derby took place at the Stade Tata Raphaël in front of a crowd of 40,000.[2]
As of 2025, TP Mazembe is the most successful Linafoot club with 20 titles, followed by AS Vita Club with 15 titles and DC Motema Pembe with 12 titles.
Name history
DR Congo's top division has been played either as knockout competition via the Coupe du Congo (DR Congo) or as in groups and a league. It was first named as LINAFOOT (Ligue Nationale de Football) in 1990.
- 1958-1971: Coupe du Congo
- 1972-1989: Coupe du Zaïre
- 1990-1991: Linafoot
- 1992-1997: Coupe du Zaïre
- 1998-present: Linafoot
Qualification for African competitions
Association ranking for the 2025–26 CAF club season
The association ranking for the 2025–26 CAF Champions League and the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup will be based on results from each CAF club competition from 2020–21 to the 2024–25 season.
- Legend
- CL: CAF Champions League
- CC: CAF Confederation Cup
- ≥: Associations points might increase on basis of its clubs performance in 2024–25 CAF club competitions
- Associations ranked 1–12 are eligible to enter two teams in each CAF club competition.
| Rank | Association | 2020–21 (× 1) | 2021–22 (× 2) | 2022–23 (× 3) | 2023–24 (× 4) | 2024–25 (× 5) | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Mvt | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | ||
| 1 | 1 |  — |  Egypt |
8 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 2.5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 190.5 |
| 2 | 2 | — |  Morocco |
4 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 142 |
| 3 | 4 |  +1 |  South Africa |
8 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1.5 | 9 | 3 | 131 |
| 4 | 3 |  -1 |  Algeria |
6 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 130 |
| 5 | 6 | +1 |  Tanzania |
3 | 0.5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 82.5 |
| 6 | 5 | -1 |  Tunisia |
4 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0.5 | 82.5 |
| 7 | 8 | +1 |  Angola |
1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 55 |
| 8 | 7 | -1 | DR Congo |
4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 |
| 9 | 9 | — |  Sudan |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 41 |
| 10 | 11 | +1 |  Ivory Coast |
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 38 |
| 11 | 10 | -1 |  Libya |
0 | 0.5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 12 | 12 | — |  Nigeria |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
Current clubs
Teams within the league are divided into two groups which face each other twice throughout the regular season. The top four teams of each group at the end of the regular season qualify for the championship round, which consists of another set of home and away matches for each team. The top two finishers qualify for the CAF Champions League and the third the CAF Confederation Cup.
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| TP Mazembe | Lubumbashi | Stade TP Mazembe |
| FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo | Lubumbashi | Stade Omnisports Frédéric-Kibasa-Maliba |
| CS Don Bosco | Lubumbashi | Stade TP Mazembe |
| AS Simba | Kolwezi | Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba |
| CS Manika | Kolwezi | Stade Dominique Diur |
| FC Tanganyika | Kalemie | Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba |
| FC Lubumbashi Sport | Lubumbashi | Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba |
| Blessing FC | Kolwezi | Stade Dominique Diur |
| SM Sanga Balende | Mbuji-Mayi | Stade des Martyrs |
| AS Saint-Luc | — | — |
| AS Malole | Kananga | Stade des Jeunes de Katoka |
| AS New Soger | Lubumbashi | Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba |
| US Tshinkunku | Kananga | Stade des Jeunes de Katoka |
| JS Groupe Bazano | Lubumbashi | Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba |
| FC Tshikas | — | — |
| US Panda B52 | Likasi | Stade Kikula |
| Team | Location | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| AS Maniema Union | Kindu | Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange |
| FC Les Aigles du Congo | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| AS Vita Club | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| Céleste FC | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| AS Dauphin Noir | Goma | Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange |
| AF Anges Verts | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| AC Rangers | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| FC Étoile du Kivu | Bukavu | Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange |
| New JAK FC | Kinshasa | Stade Tata Raphaël |
| FC Renaissance du Congo | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| OC Renaissance du Congo | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| OC Bukavu-Dawa | Bukavu | Stade Tata Raphaël |
| DC Motema Pembe Imana | Kinshasa | Stade des Martyrs |
| FC MK | Kinshasa | Stade Tata Raphaël |
| AS Martin Pêcheur | Isiro | — |
Champions
| Years | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1958 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (1) |
| 1959 | Not finished |
| 1960 | Not held |
| 1961 | Not held |
| 1962 | Not held |
| 1963 | DC Motema Pembe (1) |
| 1964 | DC Motema Pembe (2) |
| 1965 | AS Dragons (1) |
| 1966 | TP Mazembe (1) |
| 1967 | TP Mazembe (2) |
| 1968 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (2) |
| 1969 | TP Mazembe (3) |
| 1970 | AS Vita Club (1) |
| 1971 | AS Vita Club (2) |
| 1973 | AS Vita Club (3) |
| 1973 | AS Vita Club (4) |
| 1974 | DC Motema Pembe (3) |
| 1975 | AS Vita Club (5) |
| 1976 | TP Mazembe (4) |
| 1977 | AS Vita Club (6) |
| 1978 | DC Motema Pembe (4) |
| 1979 | AS Dragons (2) |
| 1980 | AS Vita Club (7) |
| 1981 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (3) |
| 1982 | AS Dragons (3) |
| 1983 | SM Sanga Balende (1) |
| 1984 | AS Dragons (4) |
| 1985 | US Tshinkunku (1) |
| 1986 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (4) |
| 1987 | TP Mazembe (5) |
| 1988 | AS Vita Club (8) |
| 1989 | DC Motema Pembe (5) |
Linafoot
| Years | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1990 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (5) |
| 1991 | SCOM Mikishi (1) |
| Years | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1992 | US Bilombe (1) |
| 1993 | AS Vita Club (9) |
| 1994 | DC Motema Pembe (6) |
| 1995 | AS Bantous (1) |
| 1996 | DC Motema Pembe (7) |
| 1997 | AS Vita Club (10) |
Linafoot
| Years | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1998 | DC Motema Pembe (8) |
| 1999 | DC Motema Pembe (9) |
| 2000 | TP Mazembe (6) |
| 2001 | TP Mazembe (7) |
| 2002 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo (6) |
| 2003 | AS Vita Club (11) |
| 2004 | DC Motema Pembe (10) |
| 2005 | DC Motema Pembe (11) |
| 2006 | TP Mazembe (8) |
| 2007 | TP Mazembe (9) |
| 2008 | DC Motema Pembe (12) |
| 2009 | TP Mazembe (10) |
| 2010 | AS Vita Club (12) |
| 2011 | TP Mazembe (11) |
| 2012 | TP Mazembe (12) |
| 2013 | TP Mazembe (13) |
| 2013–14 | TP Mazembe (14) |
| 2014–15 | AS Vita Club (13) |
| 2015–16 | TP Mazembe (15) |
| 2016–17 | TP Mazembe (16) |
| 2017–18 | AS Vita Club (14) |
| 2018–19 | TP Mazembe (17) |
| 2019–20 | TP Mazembe (18) |
| 2020–21 | AS Vita Club[5] (15) |
| 2021–22 | TP Mazembe (19) |
| 2022–23 | Championship canceled |
| 2023–24 | TP Mazembe (20) |
| 2024–25 | Aigles du Congo (1) |
| 2025–26 | TP Mazembe (21) |
Performance by club
Linafoot (1990-91 and 1998-present)
| Club | City | Titles | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TP Mazembe | Lubumbashi | 21 | 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024,2026 |
| 2 | DC Motema Pembe | Kinshasa | 5 | 1994, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2008 |
| 2 | AS Vita Club | Kinshasa | 5 | 2003, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2021 |
| 4 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo | Lubumbashi | 2 | 1990, 2002 |
| 5 | SCOM Mikishi | Lubumbashi | 1 | 1991 |
| 5 | Aigles du Congo | Kinshasa | 1 | 2025 |
Coupe du Congo/Zaire and Linafoot
| Club | City | Titles | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TP Mazembe (Includes TP Engelbert) | Lubumbashi | 21 | 1966, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1987, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025-26 |
| 2 | AS Vita Club | Kinshasa | 15 | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2021 |
| 3 | DC Motema Pembe (Includes CS Imana) | Kinshasa | 12 | 1963, 1964, 1974, 1978, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2008 |
| 4 | FC Saint Eloi Lupopo | Lubumbashi | 6 | 1958, 1968, 1981, 1986, 1990, 2002 |
| 5 | AS Dragons (Includes AS Bilima) | Kinshasa | 4 | 1965, 1979, 1982, 1984 |
| 6 | SM Sanga Balende | Mbuji-Mayi | 1 | 1983 |
| US Tshinkunku | Kananga | 1 | 1985 | |
| SCOM Mikishi | Lubumbashi | 1 | 1991 | |
| US Bilombe | Bukavu | 1 | 1992 | |
| AS Bantous | Mbuji-Mayi | 1 | 1995 | |
| Aigles du Congo | Kinshasa | 1 | 2025 |
Players
Top goalscorers
| Season | Country | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | | Papy Bazilepo | Kinshasa City FC | 19 |
| 2003 | | Belingo Brazzo | AS Vita Club | 8 |
| 2004 | | Tresor Mputu | TP Mazembe | 34 |
| 2005 | | Tresor Mputu | TP Mazembe | 22 |
| 2006 | | Tresor Mputu | TP Mazembe | 15 |
| 2007 | | Tresor Mputu | TP Mazembe | 15 |
| 2008 | | Serge Lofo Bongeli | AS Vita Club | 16 |
| 2009 | | Junior Kabananga | FC MK Etanchéité | 27 |
| 2012 | | Mbwana Samatta | TP Mazembe | 23 |
| 2013 | | Tady Agiti Etkiama | AS Vita Club | 13 |
| 2013–14 | | Mbwana Samatta | TP Mazembe | 15 |
| 2014–15 | | Roger Assale | TP Mazembe | 14 |
| 2015–16 | | Chavda Maïsha | Sharks XI | 12 |
| 2016–17 | | Ben Malango | TP Mazembe | 18 |
| 2017–18 | | Jean Marc Makusu | AS Vita Club | 24 |
| 2018–19 | | Jackson Muleka | TP Mazembe | 24 |
| 2019–20 | | Jackson Muleka | TP Mazembe | 12 |
| 2021–22 | | Makabi Lilepo | AS Vita Club | 9 |
| 2023–24 |  | Fily Traore | TP Mazembe | 19 |
| 2024–25 | | Horso Mwaku | FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo | 14 |
All-time appearances
| Rank | Player | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Kidiaba |
681 |
| 2 |  Nelson Lukong |
487 |
| 3 | Djos Issama |
453 |
| 4 | Tresor Mputu |
360 |
| 5 | Eric Nkulukuta |
275 |
| 6 | Patou Kabangu |
269 |
| 7 | Ley Matampi |
263 |
| 8 | Christian Koffi |
263 |
| 9 |  Kabaso Chongo |
248 |
| 10 | Pierre Ndaye |
245 |
| 11 | Belnadiw Bazola Pandev |
243 |
| In bold players still active. | ||
Records and statistics
- Trésor Mputu holds the record for most goals scored in history of Linafoot with 165 goals.
- Trésor Mputu has won the top scorer award five times. He is the only player to have won it four times in a row.
- Junior Kabananga hold the record for most goals scored in a season with 27 goals.
- Cameroonian Nelson Lukong, with 487 matches, is the foreign player who has played the most matches in the history of Ligue 1 as of June 02, 2022.
- Jackson Muleka, in the 2019-2020 season, scored the fastest goal in the history of the Championship after only 15 seconds with TP Mazembe.