Kankonde: Former KCCA Striker Gets New Team

Former KCCA Striker Simon Tshisungu Kankonde has joined Ivorian Ligue 1 Giants, ASEC Mimosas.

The Ivorian top divison league is yet to kickoff, but the Congolese striker was in action for the club over the weekend, in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Kankonde was brought on as a 78th minute substitute in ASEC’s 2-1 loss to Togo’s ASC Kara in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the continental competition on Sunday.

The Ivory Coast Ligue 1 kicks off later this month, and Kankonde’s new team will start at home with Korhogo on September 20, just two days before they host ASC Kara in the return leg of CAF Confederation Cup.

Kankonde, KCCA: A Love Story Turned Bitter!

Kankonde returns to action now, following his unceremonious departure from KCCA. He had joined the Kasasiro Boys back in 2022, on a two year deal, and managed seven goals across all competitions in his first year.

Towards the end of his first season (in May 2023) with the Kasasiro Boys, trouble ensued, as Kankonde was slapped with an eight-game ban, that would redirect his whole Ugandan football story.

The FUFA Competitions Disciplinary panel reprimanded Kankonde for punching referee Mashood Ssali in a closely contested league game against Vipers.

He was suspended at a time when the season was left with just four games, so his punishment had to be carried on into the 2023/24 season.

At the start of the last season, he was around and trained with the team in Uganda, and even participated in the club’s pre-season activities before suddenly going AWOL from the Lugogo-based side.

Before joining KCCA, Kankonde had previously played for AS Dauphin Noir de Goma, Etoile Jaune de Bukavu, Union Sportive Tshinkunku de Kananga and Academie Club de Kananga.

More About Kankonde’s New Club

Kankonde’s new team is based in Abidjan. Founded in 1948, they are the most successful side in Ivorian football, having won the Ivorian Premier Division 29 times and the 1998 CAF Champions League.

ASEC finished fourth of 16 teams last season, as they gathered 50 points, just six less than eventual Champions San Pedro.