Eka Basunga Lokonda "Émile" Mpenza (born 4 July 1978) is a Belgian former footballer who played as a striker. He has been capped at international level by Belgium. His older brother, Mbo, also represented Belgium.
Mpenza started his career at K.V. Kortrijk, and then moved to R.E. Mouscron and Standard Liège in quick succession, with older brother Mbo playing alongside in all three clubs. In 2000, he moved to Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04, in an exchange with Michaël Goossens. At Schalke he was very successful together with his compatriot Marc Wilmots and other striker Ebbe Sand but they failed to win the German title on the last day of competition. Mpenza returned to Standard three years later. In 2004–05 he returned to Germany, signing for Hamburger SV. However, in January 2006 he made a surprise move to Qatari team Al Rayyan.
Manchester City
Mpenza signed for Manchester City, after playing and scoring in a specially arranged match at Eastlands on 14 February 2007. "I am not finished and I will prove it in Manchester", Mpenza told Belgian radio station Bel RTL. "I make this move as revenge, with respect to all those who criticised my decision to play in Qatar".[3][4] He made his debut against Wigan Athletic on 3 March 2007 as a half-time substitute replacing Georgios Samaras.[5] He scored his first goal for the club in the 2–0 win at Middlesbrough on 17 March 2007,[6][7] and his second in the 1–0 victory at Newcastle United on 30 March.[8] He scored once more in the 2006–07 season, away to Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the season, as City lost 2–1.[9]
Having signed until the end of the 2007–08 season, Mpenza scored on City's first pre-season game of the 2007–08 season away to Doncaster Rovers. He would also equalise against Fulham and put City ahead against Bristol City and Newcastle United. However, facing competition for his place from Rolando Bianchi, Valeri Bojinov, Geovanni and Elano, all signed by new City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in summer 2007, Mpenza did not score again after September, and was released in July 2008.[10]
Plymouth Argyle
He then signed for Championship side Plymouth Argyle on 2 September 2008.[11] Mpenza went on to make his Argyle debut as a sub on 70 minutes in a 2–1 defeat to Norwich City on 13 September. He then scored his first goal for the club against Charlton Athletic in a 2–2 draw,[12] and scored again in a 2–1 win over Cardiff City.[13] However Mpenza's time at Plymouth Argyle was blighted by injury and therefore he was not offered a new contract.
Sion
For the 2009–10 season, Mpenza signed a one-year contract with Swiss Topflight club FC Sion. Here he rediscovered his eye for goal by scoring 21 goals in 32 matches.
Neftchi Baku
In August 2010, Mpenza signed a three-year contract with Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftchi Baku.[14] He left the club in January 2012, having lost his place in the team during the 2011–12 season.[15][16]
In June 2015, Neftchi Baku were ordered by FIFA to pay Mpenza €1 million in unpaid wages.[17]
Eendracht Aalst
After searching a club for over a year, Mpenza finally signed a one-year contract with Eendracht Aalst on 1 October 2013.[18]
International career
Mpenza played for the Belgium national football team between 1997 and 2009, though he was frequently injured in times of international call-ups. He played alongside his brother Mbo in the 1998 World Cup and in Euro 2000 where he scored a goal in the opening match against Sweden (which ended with Belgium's victory 2–1), but missed out on the World Cup in 2002 with a groin injury.
^"Emile Mpenza". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
^"Emile Mpenza". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
^"Man City set to seal Mpenza deal". ESPN FC. 15 February 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^"Man City complete Mpenza signing". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^May, John (3 March 2007). "Man City 0–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^"Premiership clockwatch". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^Stewart, Rob (19 March 2007). "City still not united as Distin snaps at Dunne". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^"Mpenza eases City's relegation fears". Independent Online (South Africa). 31 March 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^Burnton, Simon (14 May 2007). "Tottenham find progress in parity while City suffer". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^. Manchester City FC. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
^"Mpenza pens deal". Plymouth Argyle FC. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
^"Plymouth 2–2 Charlton". BBC. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
^"Plymouth 2–1 Cardiff". BBC. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
^"Ex-Schalke Emile Mpenza changes to Azerbaijan". Goal.com. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
^"Emile Mpenza de retour au Standard?" (in French). RTL Sport. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
^Aliyev, Elmir (20 January 2012). . News.az. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
^"ФИФА пригрозила Нефтчи: Выплатите Мпензе миллион евро или клуб ждут санкции!". azerifootball.com (in Russian). Azerifootball. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^"Eendracht Aalst brings back forgotten Mpenza" (in Dutch). sporza.be. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
Émile, mpenza, basunga, lokonda, Émile, mpenza, born, july, 1978, belgian, former, footballer, played, striker, been, capped, international, level, belgium, older, brother, also, represented, belgium, mpenza, with, manchester, city, 2007personal, informationfu. Eka Basunga Lokonda Emile Mpenza born 4 July 1978 is a Belgian former footballer who played as a striker He has been capped at international level by Belgium His older brother Mbo also represented Belgium Emile MpenzaMpenza with Manchester City in 2007Personal informationFull nameEka Basunga Lokonda MpenzaDate of birth 1978 07 04 4 July 1978 age 44 1 Place of birthZellik BelgiumHeight1 77 m 5 ft 10 in 2 Position s StrikerYouth career1986 1989LC Mesvins1989 1995KortrijkSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1995 1996Kortrijk32 5 1996 1997Mouscron31 12 1997 1999Standard Liege46 20 2000 2003Schalke 0479 28 2003 2004Standard Liege28 21 2004 2006Hamburger SV36 5 2006 2007Al Rayyan19 9 2007 2008Manchester City25 5 2008 2009Plymouth Argyle9 2 2009 2010Sion31 21 2010 2012Neftchi Baku31 6 2013 2014Eendracht Aalst0 0 Total367 134 International career1995 1996Belgium U187 6 1995Belgium U197 0 1996Belgium U213 0 1997 2009Belgium57 19 Club domestic league appearances and goals Contents 1 Club career 1 1 Belgium Germany and Qatar 1 2 Manchester City 1 3 Plymouth Argyle 1 4 Sion 1 5 Neftchi Baku 1 6 Eendracht Aalst 2 International career 3 Career statistics 3 1 International goals 4 Honours 4 1 Club 4 2 Individual 5 References 6 External linksClub career EditBelgium Germany and Qatar Edit Mpenza started his career at K V Kortrijk and then moved to R E Mouscron and Standard Liege in quick succession with older brother Mbo playing alongside in all three clubs In 2000 he moved to Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 in an exchange with Michael Goossens At Schalke he was very successful together with his compatriot Marc Wilmots and other striker Ebbe Sand but they failed to win the German title on the last day of competition Mpenza returned to Standard three years later In 2004 05 he returned to Germany signing for Hamburger SV However in January 2006 he made a surprise move to Qatari team Al Rayyan Manchester City Edit Mpenza signed for Manchester City after playing and scoring in a specially arranged match at Eastlands on 14 February 2007 I am not finished and I will prove it in Manchester Mpenza told Belgian radio station Bel RTL I make this move as revenge with respect to all those who criticised my decision to play in Qatar 3 4 He made his debut against Wigan Athletic on 3 March 2007 as a half time substitute replacing Georgios Samaras 5 He scored his first goal for the club in the 2 0 win at Middlesbrough on 17 March 2007 6 7 and his second in the 1 0 victory at Newcastle United on 30 March 8 He scored once more in the 2006 07 season away to Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the season as City lost 2 1 9 Having signed until the end of the 2007 08 season Mpenza scored on City s first pre season game of the 2007 08 season away to Doncaster Rovers He would also equalise against Fulham and put City ahead against Bristol City and Newcastle United However facing competition for his place from Rolando Bianchi Valeri Bojinov Geovanni and Elano all signed by new City manager Sven Goran Eriksson in summer 2007 Mpenza did not score again after September and was released in July 2008 10 Plymouth Argyle Edit He then signed for Championship side Plymouth Argyle on 2 September 2008 11 Mpenza went on to make his Argyle debut as a sub on 70 minutes in a 2 1 defeat to Norwich City on 13 September He then scored his first goal for the club against Charlton Athletic in a 2 2 draw 12 and scored again in a 2 1 win over Cardiff City 13 However Mpenza s time at Plymouth Argyle was blighted by injury and therefore he was not offered a new contract Sion Edit For the 2009 10 season Mpenza signed a one year contract with Swiss Topflight club FC Sion Here he rediscovered his eye for goal by scoring 21 goals in 32 matches Neftchi Baku Edit In August 2010 Mpenza signed a three year contract with Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftchi Baku 14 He left the club in January 2012 having lost his place in the team during the 2011 12 season 15 16 In June 2015 Neftchi Baku were ordered by FIFA to pay Mpenza 1 million in unpaid wages 17 Eendracht Aalst Edit After searching a club for over a year Mpenza finally signed a one year contract with Eendracht Aalst on 1 October 2013 18 International career EditMpenza played for the Belgium national football team between 1997 and 2009 though he was frequently injured in times of international call ups He played alongside his brother Mbo in the 1998 World Cup and in Euro 2000 where he scored a goal in the opening match against Sweden which ended with Belgium s victory 2 1 but missed out on the World Cup in 2002 with a groin injury Career statistics EditInternational goals Edit Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 7 June 1997 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels San Marino 6 0 Won 1998 World Cup Qualification2 7 June 1997 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels San Marino 6 0 Won 1998 World Cup Qualification3 3 February 1999 Tsirion Stadium Limassol Cyprus 0 1 Won Friendly4 18 August 1999 Jan Breydel Stadium Bruges Finland 3 4 Lost Friendly5 4 September 1999 Feijenoord Stadion Rotterdam Netherlands 5 5 Drawn Friendly6 7 September 1999 Stade Maurice Dufrasne Liege Morocco 4 0 Won Friendly7 29 March 2000 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Netherlands 2 2 Drawn Friendly8 10 June 2000 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Sweden 2 1 Won Euro 20009 16 August 2000 Georgi Asparuhov Stadium Sofia Bulgaria 1 3 Won Friendly10 28 February 2001 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels San Marino 10 1 Won 2002 World Cup Qualification11 25 April 2001 Letna Stadium Prague Czech Republic 1 1 Draw Friendly12 2 June 2001 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Latvia 3 1 Won 2002 World Cup Qualification13 12 February 2003 Stade 19 Mai 1956 Annaba Algeria 1 3 Won Friendly14 12 February 2003 Stade 19 Mai 1956 Annaba Algeria 1 3 Won Friendly15 26 March 2005 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 1 Won 2006 World Cup Qualification16 26 March 2005 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 1 Won 2006 World Cup Qualification17 17 August 2005 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Greece 2 0 Won Friendly18 10 October 2009 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Turkey 2 0 Won 2010 World Cup Qualification19 10 October 2009 Stade Roi Baudouin Brussels Turkey 2 0 Won 2010 World Cup QualificationHonours EditClub Edit Schalke 04 19 DFB Pokal 2000 01 2001 02Hamburger SV UEFA Intertoto Cup 2005 20 Neftchi Baku Azerbaijan Premier League 2010 11 21 Individual Edit Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year 1996 97 22 Belgian Ebony Shoe 1997 23 Best Belgian Footballer Abroad 2000 24 kicker German Football Rankings International Class Player 2000 01 25 Standard Liege Man of the Season 2003 04References Edit Emile Mpenza Soccerway Global Sports Media Retrieved 7 August 2011 Emile Mpenza ESPNsoccernet Retrieved 7 August 2011 Man City set to seal Mpenza deal ESPN FC 15 February 2007 Retrieved 17 September 2014 Man City complete Mpenza signing BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 16 February 2007 Retrieved 17 September 2014 May John 3 March 2007 Man City 0 1 Wigan BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation Retrieved 17 September 2014 Premiership clockwatch BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 17 March 2007 Retrieved 17 September 2014 Stewart Rob 19 March 2007 City still not united as Distin snaps at Dunne The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 17 September 2014 Mpenza eases City s relegation fears Independent Online South Africa 31 March 2007 Retrieved 17 September 2014 Burnton Simon 14 May 2007 Tottenham find progress in parity while City suffer The Guardian Retrieved 17 September 2014 Club confirms released players list Manchester City FC 3 July 2008 Archived from the original on 5 July 2008 Retrieved 3 July 2008 Mpenza pens deal Plymouth Argyle FC 2 September 2008 Retrieved 2 September 2008 Plymouth 2 2 Charlton BBC 8 November 2008 Retrieved 26 October 2009 Plymouth 2 1 Cardiff BBC 22 November 2008 Retrieved 26 October 2009 Ex Schalke Emile Mpenza changes to Azerbaijan Goal com Retrieved 26 November 2013 Emile Mpenza de retour au Standard in French RTL Sport 3 January 2012 Retrieved 9 March 2012 Aliyev Elmir 20 January 2012 Belgian footballer Emile Mpenza leaves Neftchi News az Archived from the original on 2 December 2013 Retrieved 9 March 2012 FIFA prigrozila Neftchi Vyplatite Mpenze million evro ili klub zhdut sankcii azerifootball com in Russian Azerifootball 18 June 2015 Retrieved 18 June 2015 Eendracht Aalst brings back forgotten Mpenza in Dutch sporza be 1 October 2013 Retrieved 1 October 2013 Schalke 04 Palmares Valencia 0 0 Hamburg Aggregate 0 1 uefa com Archived from the original on 12 September 2006 Retrieved 14 June 2020 FC Neftci Baku Trophies Jonge Prof van het Jaar Erelijst Ebbehouten Schoen Eurosport Archived from the original on 6 February 2016 Retrieved 6 February 2016 Kevin De Bruyne volgt zichzelf op als Beste Belg in het buitenland Eurosport Archived from the original on 6 February 2016 Retrieved 6 February 2016 Kicker Ranking Rangliste 1955 to 2017 in German External links EditEmile Mpenza at Soccerbase Emile Mpenza at National Football Teams com Emile Mpenza at the Royal Belgian Football Association Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Emile Mpenza amp oldid 1125270255, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
