Dominique Cionci Named As New Coach Of Congolese Giants AS Vita

Democratic Republic of Congo giant AS Vita have confirmed the appointment of Dominique Cionci as their new head coach.

AS Vita have been searching for a replacement for Florent Ibenge who left his position last month following the club’s turbulent 2020/2021 Linafoot campaign, where they lost the league title after being deducted nine points for fielding an ineligible player.

The Kinshasa-based club announced that the Frenchman will arrive in DR Congo on Thursday to start working with the team.

Vita added that the former Olympique de Marseille and Nîmes player has been tasked to guide the Black Dolphins to the DR Congo’s Linafoot and CAF Champions League titles.

Cionci notably coached alongside Raymond Goethals, Gérard Gili and Henri Stambouli around 1993, before becoming national technical director of Togo.

He moves from Belgium where his last managerial role was with Olympic Club of Charleroi OCC in the second division, back in 2018.

AS Vita last claimed Linafoot title in 2018 and it’s worth noting that the league trophy has continued to make turns between them and rivals TP Mazembe since 2009.

Vita’s former coach Ibenge has since been appointed the head coach of Moroccan side RS Berkane following the departure of Juan Pedro Benali.

During his time at Black Dolphins, the club reached two CAF Interclub Cup finals, notably 2014 African Champions League and in 2018 African Confederation Cup.