Beni Mukendi: Casa Pia’s Angolan Gem
Club: Casa Pia
Nationality: Angola
Position: DM, CM
Preferred Foot: Right
Height: 5’11”/180cm
Age: 22
Strengths: technical security, press resistance, progressiveness, ball-carrying, ball-winning, interceptions
Development Areas: Creativity in the final third, discipline
From David Carmo to Kialonda Gaspar to Bruno Paz, more and more Angolan players are honing their skills in Portuguese football, and the latest hidden gem to make a name for himself in Portugal is none other than Benedito Mambuene ‘Beni’ Mukendi. A press-resistant, ball-winning midfielder who boasts grace under pressure and the ability to progress the ball, Beni Mukendi is a promising talent who is worth keeping an eye on.
Unlike many of his international teammates, Mukendi began his career in Africa. Born in the Angolan capital of Luanda, he developed in Petro de Luanda’s academy before heading to Portugal in the fall of 2020. He didn’t take long to make a swift adaptation to European football and played a key role for Trofense in midfield, earning promotion to the second tier in his debut season. After racking up 43 appearances for Trofense, Mukendi joined newly promoted Casa Pia on January 30, 2023, signing a four-year contract with the Gansos.
Mukendi has quickly emerged as a regular in midfield under Filipe Martins, registering four assists in 43 appearances and leading them to a solid mid-table finish in 2023/24. Having played for Angola in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup under Pedro Soares Gonçalves, Mukendi has been brought into the fold under Gonçalves, now in charge of the senior team. He made his international debut in March 2022, and two years later, he was called up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
After failing to make a single appearance for Angola in their first two matches in the AFCON group stage, Mukendi headed back to Portugal and cut his tournament short. Angola would proceed to beat Burkina Faso and Namibia before losing to Nigeria in the quarterfinals, whilst Mukendi’s next match would see his Casa Pia side lose 8-0 to Sporting.
Another low light came on April 14 in the Algarve — Mukendi replaced Telasco Segovia in the 66th minute and proceeded to pick up two cautions in the following half-hour as Casa Pia drew 2-2 at Portimonense. However, after returning from suspension, Mukendi would grab an assist in each of his next two matches vs. Chaves and Braga, whilst he closed out the campaign by starting in midfield against Moreirense and Famalicão.
Mukendi plays as the deepest midfielder or occasionally as an #8 where he collects the ball from deep, recycles possession and progresses the ball either with progressive passes or powerful carries. He is a technically secure pivot due to his ability to receive the ball in deeper areas under pressure and calmly pass the ball or carry it away. Despite the fact that Casa Pia typically lack possession, Mukendi has been serene with the ball at his feet and completed 90% of his passes.
The 22-year-old has operated in a double pivot alongside either Segovia or Neto, but out of the two midfielders, he tends to remain deeper, and his press resistance allows Casa Pia to retain possession and start attacks. Positionally, he stays centrally and has proven capable of operating as a lone pivot. When he receieves the ball, he looks to play it forward instead of shuffling it backwards or sideways.
He has the progressive instinct that distinguishes great defensive midfielders from decent ones, a player who is capable of executing long passes to perfection. Similarly to other African midfielders like Thomas Partey or Alex Song, he can ping a ball over the top of defense and creative chances for his fellow attackers to run onto.
Moreover, he thrives at winning the ball back and launching transitions for his team. Whilst he isn’t he tallest at 5’11”, his low centre of gravity and excellent core strength enable him to win duels and barge opponents off the ball with his formidable torso.
As a ball winner, Mukendi reads the game well. He anticipates where the ball is going to be and makes crucial interceptions before they reach their intended target, but he also is constantly alert to recover any loose balls (4.6 ball recoveries per 90 this season) and quickly release or carry the ball to progress play and start an attack.
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Another tool that he has in his arsenal is his ball-carrying. His low centre of gravity gives him a tight turning radius, and his technical security and close control allows him to evade pressure and advance the ball. He loves to take on opponents, averaging 1.71 successful take-ons per 90, and his athleticism and physicality combined with his ball progression could see him thrive in a possession-based team.
Although he does tend to remain deep, he can wander forward or carry the ball into the final third. Generally, Mukendi does have good positional discipline, although he could certainly improve when it comes to his disciplinary record. With seven cautions, only Neto (13) received more bookings than him in Casa Pia’s squad this season.
Moreover, when playing further forward as an 8, he lacks real creativity and threat in the final third. This isn’t his strong point — he’s much more of a 1st and 2nd phase specialist who can either excel in a double pivot or as a lone 6 winning the ball, turning past midfielders, and progressing play.
At 22 years of age, the sky is the limit for Beni Mukendi. Having already lost key figures such as Fernando Varela, Felippe Cardoso, Neto, João Nunes and Yuki Soma this summer, Casa Pia will be desperate to keep hold of their Angolan midfielder as they look to improve on last season’s ninth-place finish.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images