Vita Club Striker Set For First Start

Ricky Tuelenge will make his first start for AS Vita in Sunday night’s Linafoot league match against Daring Club Motema Pembe at Stade de Martyrs.

The striker made a return to the club in the summer after being released by Moroccan side Difaa El Jadida.

He had been missing since January as his start was delayed after his former club Motema Pembe reported El Jadida to FIFA in relation to the player’s transfer.

Vita Club coach Florent Ibenge confirmed that he will hand the player a starting role against the former side in the Kinois derby match.

“Tulenge will be there with everyone else. He hadn’t played for administrative reasons since rejoining the club. He’s a great player. Everything he did with his former club Motema Pembe, we hope he does with us too,” said Ibenge as translated from French.

Tulenge’s individual prowess carried Motema Pembe in the 2017 Linafoot campaign where they finished third in the playoffs, earning themselves a ticket back to continental football after a period in the cold.

For his troubles, Tulenge was crowned the 2016/2017 Linafoot’s most valuable player.

Vita Club currently sit third in the league table, 15 point adrift table leaders TP Mazembe who have one game in hand.

Their Sunday’s opponent Motema Pembe are 4th on the table and only one point separates the two sides after 18 rounds of matches.