The Marseille player won the Marc-Vivien Foe prize ahead of
last year’s winner, Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana (Lens), and Nigeria
striker Terem Moffi (Nice).
Born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mbemba
moved to Europe at the age of 17 to Belgian club Anderlecht. He also played for
Newcastle and Porto before joining Marseille last summer, helping the 1993
European champions secure a third-place finish in the French league this
season.
In addition to his defensive role, the 28-year-old Mbemba
scored five goals in 35 league games this season.
More than 100 African players featured in the French league
this season.
Players who have featured for an African national team and
played in at least 15 top-tier matches in France over the last season are
eligible for the prize. The award is decided by a panel of journalists
specializing in French and African soccer.
Foe, a two-time African champion, collapsed and died during
a Confederations Cup semifinal game in France in 2003 while playing for
Cameroon. -AP
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