PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Bokoté Banza |
| Date of Birth | 13/08/1996 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Creil, France |
| Nationality | Congolese |
| Height | 1.89 m / 6 ft 2.5 in |
| Weight | 77 kg |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Al Jazira |
| Previous Clubs | Lens, Braga, Famalicão, Trabzonspor |
| International Caps | 17+ |
| International Goals | 2+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The Houston heat was relentless. June 2026. Congo DR were preparing for a must-win World Cup group stage clash against Uzbekistan, and Simon Banza stood before the media, his words measured but his ambition clear.
“We have had a goal since we came to the World Cup and that is to go far in the tournament,” the 29-year-old striker told Reuters. The Leopards had just suffered a 1-0 defeat to Colombia, but Banza’s message was one of resilience: “We are in very good shape, we are waiting for the next game. We want to play as soon as possible.”
The boy from Creil, who had once been a promising teenager in Lens’s academy, who had waited until his mid-twenties to break through, who had scored 23 goals in a single season for Braga, was now the voice of Congo DR’s World Cup campaign. His tournament would see him make two appearances, logging 40 minutes of football. But his impact was felt beyond the pitch—as one of the leaders in a squad determined to make history.
Origins
Simon Banza was born on August 13, 1996, in Creil, France. His football journey began in the youth academy of Lens, where he developed through the ranks before making his senior debut for the club in 2015.
His early years at Lens were a period of development and patience. He made 18 Ligue 2 appearances in the 2015-16 season, scoring 1 goal, and featured for Lens B, where he scored 5 goals in 13 appearances. He was a promising young forward, but the path to regular first-team football was not straightforward.
The European Forge
Lens (2015-2021):
Banza spent six seasons at Lens, gradually establishing himself as a key player. In the 2019-20 season, he scored 7 goals in 24 Ligue 2 appearances, helping Lens earn promotion to Ligue 1. The following season, he made 34 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 1 assist. In total, he made 88 appearances for Lens across all competitions.
Famalicão (2021-2022):
In search of a new challenge, Banza moved to Portuguese club Famalicão. In the 2021-22 season, he made 29 league appearances, scoring 14 goals. His performances in Portugal’s top flight caught the attention of Braga.
Braga (2022-2024):
Banza’s time at Braga was the most prolific period of his career. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 21 goals in 28 league appearances and 23 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. He was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Season and helped Braga reach the final of the Taça de Portugal. Over two seasons at Braga, he made 77 appearances and scored 34 goals across all competitions.
Trabzonspor (2024-2025):
In September 2024, Banza moved to Turkish club Trabzonspor for a reported fee of €15-16 million. He scored 11 goals and provided 1 assist in 14 matches in the 2024-25 Super Lig season. He helped the club reach the Turkish Cup final in 2025.
Al Jazira (2025-Present):
Banza moved to UAE club Al Jazira ahead of the 2025-26 season. In the 2025-26 season, he made 9 appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.
International Career:
Banza made his senior debut for the DR Congo national team in 2023, featuring in the Africa Cup of Nations. He made 5 appearances at the tournament, logging 184 minutes. He has earned 17 caps and scored 2 goals for the Leopards. He was selected for the 2026 World Cup, making 2 appearances.
The Anatomy of His Game
Banza is a modern centre-forward defined by his physicality, aerial presence, and clinical finishing. His career has been marked by a remarkable late-blooming trajectory.
In Possession:
Banza is a composed finisher with exceptional power in his shooting. In the 2024-25 Super Lig season, he scored 11 goals in 14 matches. His 23-goal season for Braga in 2023-24 demonstrated his ability to score consistently at the highest level. He is also a threat in the air, standing at 1.89 meters.
Out of Possession:
Banza’s work rate is a key part of his game. He presses defenders and contributes to his team’s defensive structure. His physicality allows him to hold up play and bring teammates into the attack.
Psychological Edge:
Banza’s mental resilience is one of his defining characteristics. He waited until his mid-twenties to establish himself at the highest level, and his move to Braga in 2022 marked a turning point in his career. His leadership and composure at the World Cup, speaking on behalf of the team after a difficult defeat, reflect his maturity.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Pro League (Al Jazira) | 9 | — | 3 | 2 |
| FIFA World Cup | 2 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 11 | 40+ | 3 | 2 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Al Jazira | UAE Pro League | 9 | 3 |
| 2024/25 | Trabzonspor | Süper Lig | 14 | 11 |
| 2023/24 | Braga | Primeira Liga | 28 | 21 |
| 2022/23 | Braga | Primeira Liga | 30 | 11 |
| 2021/22 | Famalicão | Primeira Liga | 29 | 14 |
| 2020/21 | Lens | Ligue 1 | 34 | 5 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 144+ | 65+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2023 | 5 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | — | — | — |
| DR Congo Senior Career | 17+ | 2+ | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Lens Debut | First professional appearance |
| 2020 | Ligue 1 Promotion | Promoted with Lens |
| 2021 | Famalicão Move | First move to Portugal |
| 2022 | Braga Transfer | Joined Primeira Liga club |
| 2023 | Afcon Debut | Represented DR Congo |
| 2024 | Braga Top Scorer | 23 goals in 39 appearances |
| 2024 | Trabzonspor Transfer | €15m move to Turkey |
| 2025 | Turkish Cup Final | Runner-up with Trabzonspor |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Made 2 appearances |
What these figures reveal
is a player who has experienced a dramatic late-career surge. Banza’s 65 goals in 144 appearances since 2021 demonstrate his remarkable goalscoring consistency. His World Cup appearances, his 17 caps for DR Congo, and his leadership on the biggest stage reflect a player who has earned his place through perseverance and hard work.
The Present Tense
Simon Banza is 29 years old and at the peak of his career. He is an Al Jazira player, a DR Congo international, and a World Cup squad member.
The Al Jazira Story:
Banza moved to Al Jazira in the UAE Pro League for the 2025-26 season. He scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in 9 appearances for the club.
The World Cup Campaign:
Banza was named in Sebastien Desabre’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two appearances in the tournament, logging 40 minutes of football. He was a vocal presence in the squad, speaking on behalf of the team after the defeat to Colombia: “We are in very good shape, we are waiting for the next game. We want to play as soon as possible.” DR Congo were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Banza has 17 caps for DR Congo and has scored 2 goals. He made his senior debut in 2023 and was part of the squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he made 5 appearances and logged 184 minutes. He was selected for the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Banza is defined by his journey from France to Congo and his late-career international breakthrough. Born in Creil, France, to Congolese parents, he had a choice to make—represent France or embrace his heritage and play for DR Congo. He chose Congo, and the decision was vindicated on the biggest stage of all.
His career path has been a testament to persistence. He waited until his mid-twenties to establish himself at the highest level, and his move to Braga in 2022 marked a turning point in his career. He is one of ten French-born players in the DR Congo squad.
His leadership at the World Cup was evident. After the defeat to Colombia, he spoke with composure and ambition: “They are a very good team, I know some of the players from there. They never give up. But we are the same, it should be a very good game.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Reuters:
“We are in very good shape, we are waiting for the next game. We want to play as soon as possible.”
“We have had a goal since we came to the World Cup and that is to go far in the tournament.”
L'Équipe:
Banza has 17 caps and 2 goals for the DR Congo national team.
Statistic:
Banza made 2 appearances and logged 40 minutes at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Banza has scored 65 goals in 144 appearances since 2021.
Where Next?
Simon Banza is 29 years old and under contract with Al Jazira. He has established himself as a reliable goalscorer in multiple European leagues and a key squad member for DR Congo.
For DR Congo, he is a valuable asset. His World Cup experience, his leadership, and his goalscoring record make him an ideal player for the Leopards. His late-blooming career has been a testament to perseverance and self-belief.
From Creil to Lens, from Famalicão to Braga, from Trabzonspor to Al Jazira, Simon Banza’s journey is a story of persistence, resilience, and a refusal to be defined by setbacks. The boy born in France who chose DR Congo has become a World Cup player. And his story is far from over.
