Nonda rises to Roma challenge
Friday, June 10, 2005
Article summary
DR Congo striker Shabani Nonda has signed a three-year deal with Italian UEFA Cup contenders AS Roma.
Article body
Injury woe
The 28-year-old ends a five-season spell at AS Monaco FC after struggling to break back into the team after sustaining a bad knee injury in August 2003. He did return towards the end of the 2003/04 season, appearing in the 3-0 defeat by FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League final, but had been a peripheral figure ever since, making just three starts last term.
Free-scoring forward
That demise is in stark contrast to Nonda's startling emergence with Stade Rennais FC in 1998, scoring 31 goals in two season before moving to the Stade Louis II. He struck 26 times in 2002/03 to top the Ligue 1 scoring charts before sustaining a knee injury four games – and three goals – into the next campaign.
Cup date
The Bujundi-born forward has accepted a move to Roma who, despite struggling in the league, have booked a European place by reaching the Coppa Italia final against FC Internazionale Milano, the first leg of which takes place on Sunday.
