One of the early assessments made by Swiss coach Murat Yakin Johan Manzambi How happy the 20-year-old is to be with the national team. Make no mistake – Switzerland were capable of being as dull and pensive as hosts Canada in the first half of a forgettable lateral pass in Vancouver. But Manzambi resurrected football. And then they brought out ‘Mango Utsav’.
After another assist and goal against Switzerland – this time in a 2-1 win – the Geneva-born talent was courted by Man Utd and PSG, taking his tally to 3 strikes and 3 ‘celli’ (celebrations) as they are called these days.
After a brace inspired by the manga’s Dragonball Z Kamehameha, social media intellectualized his enjoyment. But Zambia declared ‘this means mango’ after their victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“Mango. It’s something between me and my friends,” Manzambi explained when he scored after his Bundesliga side Freiburg lost to Aston Villa in the Europa League final.
Swiss publication Tages-Anzeiger last week quoted his childhood friend Lois Ndema as saying, “By now the gesture has become iconic, but only a few know what it signifies. It’s an inside joke. Let’s just say it’s a tribute to his friends. I won’t reveal more.”
Football between friends who preserve the sanctity of the inside joke is a breath of fresh air, which Switzerland’s bland football has always needed.
After a goalless draw in the first half, Manzambi immediately sprung into action when he sent a cross to the left from the right swath as Ruben Vargas slotted in a left footer after a touch. But it was Canada’s second goal as Bree Mbolo took the ball into the box, turned his back on the goal as he raced towards the opposition and passed it back to Manzambi, who was brutally driven into the back of the net by Maxime Crepue. The mango festival was on.
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Manzambi’s well-to-do background means he was born to an Angolan mother who faced political persecution and a Congolese father who fled the conflict zone. Meeting as a refugee in Geneva, their son had to deviate from his goal of becoming a keeper mainly because his growth spurt didn’t pick up until late. But popularizing the mango in the land of fondue and chocolates can only happen with someone of his heritage.
This is not entirely surprising. Before Congo was wracked by the pain of war and displacement, before ruthless mining began for the cobalt, copper and coltan needed in microchips and the greed of superpowers, the Kimbundu of the Angola-Congolese region once grew mangoes in above-ground orchards.
Although his football was honed in Germany, Manzambi still has his roots in Africa, having been nurtured in Geneva by the Servette Academy. That’s where his flair for football comes from, as does his cheerful nature, the Swiss coach admits. Akanji and Xhaka drew attention to Swiss football, but Manzambi was recognized as a promising youngster, perhaps able to lift the game out of the clichés of Swiss clockwork precision and associated chronometry. The Mango Festival is a revelation in more ways than one.
Johann Manzambi (9) of Switzerland scores his second goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Canadian Press via Ethan Cairns/AP)
Canada then pulled one back when Nathan Saliba (no relation to Williams) controlled the ball well, fending off a flurry of defenders to send a pass into the box. The 6-foot-5 Promise David stuck his leg in the 76th minute to help him on his way to goal.
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The first half had the charm of Cactus. In the 31st minute, Cyle Larin and Grant Xhaka collided with the ball and kicked the Canadian in the shins, who then responded with his teammates – both booked. The situation was critical as the Swiss goalkeeper and his two backs moved between themselves to slow down the pace. Heads once clashed over aerials and both Xhaka and Jonathan David fired shots so high and wide that you wonder why these two sides are even playing. Passes in the final third were inconsistent.
As Johan Manzambi seemed to decide, there was a need to bring out the mystical mango festival again.