Texas Tech University Athletics
Tale of Two Countries
September 20, 2002 | Football
Sept. 20, 2002
by Kate Golding, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations -
Unlike the book A Tale of Two Cities, this is A Tale of Two Countries. Although miles from their native countries Africa and Belgium, cousins Loliki Bongo-Wanga and Patrice Majondo-Mwamba now call home Lubbock, Texas.
The two are cousins by their fathers, but in their minds they have a brotherhood. Traveling to the United States together, knowing a small amount of English aided to strengthen their bond.
"To be able to play with my cousin is like a dream to me, he is more than a cousin he is like my brother." Majondo-Mwamba stated. The young men made their first home in Georgia, where they began working and learning the language of the States. After their stay in Georgia, they packed their bags and headed out west to California, where they attended Hartnell Community College.
For Loliki, he found football at Hartnell Community College to be different than football in Belgium.
"There it is like club ball. You are allowed to begin playing at age 16 or 17 and play against men as old as 40," said Bongo-Wanga. "And for positions, you learn to play both sides which produces great athletes."
For his cousin Partice, he had never played a day a football until he arrived at Hartnell CC, where he was asked to try-out. At Hartnell CC both young men quickly made names for themselves in the States. Loliki was selected as California Junior College Player of the Year and earned Jucco All-America Honors, while after a year of football Patrice was selected to first team All-Coast Conference defensive end. After two years in California, they were recruited by many colleges but when Texas Tech began sending material to Loliki he quickly remembered their name.
"In Belgium the first football game I watched on television was Texas Tech vs. Texas, so when I started to receive letters I got very excited," said Bongo-Wanga. Loliki came to Texas Tech in 2001, but unfortunately was haunted by an achilles injury. Now healthy and ready to play he is joined by his cousin, who made is way to Lubbock for the 2002 season.
"I am going to be redshirted this year to learn more about the game and better my play, but I am still excited about this year's season," Majondo-Mwamba said.
Both young men are grateful to Coach McMackin for all his help in their venture to Texas Tech. Of course the move to Lubbock was a shock, but with the school year at hand and the company of their team, the two cousins now feel they fit into the puzzle.
"Football has kept me busy and helped me meet a lot of people," said Majondo-Mwamba. "I love it here now."
After graduation Loliki and Patrice might take different ventures, but eventually head home to Congo.
"I think I might go back to California, but then again I don't know, eventually I will go back to my family in Congo," said Bongo-Wanga.
For now these cousins are happy to be Red Raiders and their outlook on the 2002 season is positive.
"We might have started off slow, but I am really excited and feel that the team is pumped up and ready to play after the Ohio State game," Bongo-Wanga stated.
