Richard Mapuata N'Kiambi

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Richard Mapuata

| image =

| full_name = Richard Mapuata N'Kiambi Esola

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|02|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Léopoldville, DR Congo

| height = 1.85 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = –1985 | clubs1 = CS Imana | caps1 = | goals1 =

| years2 = 1985–1986 | clubs2 = Standard Liège | caps2 = | goals2 =

| years3 = 1986–1988 | clubs3 = Belenenses | caps3 = 51 | goals3 = 21

| years4 = 1988–1990 | clubs4 = Bellinzona | caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = 1990–1991 | clubs5 = Aarau | caps5 = | goals5 =

| nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Zaire | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =

}}

Richard Mapuata N'Kiambi Esola (born 27 February 1965) is a Congolese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He represented the Zaire national team at international level.[https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/destino-80s-mapuata-o-renault-9-e-o-maior-escandalo-de-1987 Mapuata, o Renault 9 e «o maior escândalo de 1987»] maisfutebol.iol.pt

Club career

Born in Kinshasa, Mapuata began his career with Cercle Sportif Imana. He moved to play in the Belgian Pro League at the age of 20, signing with Standard Liège.{{cite web|publisher=Lesoir.be|author=Vande Weyer, Philippe|title=La fausse inconstance|url=http://archives.lesoir.be/la-fausse-inconstance_t-19890207-Z01CQV.html|language=French|date=7 February 1989}} One year later, he joined Primeira Liga side Os Belenenses for two seasons. While with Belenenses, Mapuata scored the goal in a famous UEFA Cup victory against Barcelona.{{cite web|publisher=informação online|author=Rui Tovar|title=Na última vez que esteve em Portugal Schuster perdeu o jogo e a cabeça|url=http://www.ionline.pt/conteudo/86955-na-ultima-vez-que-esteve-em-portugal-schuster-perdeu-o-jogo-e-cabeca|language=Portuguese|date=5 November 2010}}

He finished his playing career in the Swiss first division, playing for AC Bellinzona and FC Aarau.

International career

Mapuata played for Zaire at the 1988{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1988af.html|title=International Matches 1988 - Africa|publisher=RSSSF|author1=Courtney, Barrie |author2=Cazal, Jean-Michel |name-list-style=amp |date=2 February 2005}} Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Personal life

His son, Cédric,{{cite web|publisher=Les Dépêches de Brazzaville|title=L'attaquant congolais Cédric Makiadi signe à Fribourg|url=http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/medias/dossiertele/PDF746.pdf|language=French|date=4 June 2009}} is a retired professional footballer.

His other son, Richaross Grüninger, is the star of the SFT Tigers Lugano, known for his skills from three points.