Former Simba and AS FAR defender Henoc Inonga Baka moves to Iraqi club

Congolese central defender Henoc Inonga Baka will continue his club career in Iraq after spending five months as a free agent.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by نادي الزوراء Al Zawraa SC (@alzawraasc)

Baghdad-based Al Zawraa SC confirmed the arrival of the powerful defender as they attempt to make a push for the Iraq Stars League title. Al-Nawaris are currently in 5th place on the league table, six points back of leaders Al Quwa Al Jawiya.

The 32-year-old defender offers plenty of experience at top African clubs including Tanzanian giants Simba SC, and most recently Morocco’s AS FAR. He has made over fifty appearances in CAF interclub competitions and has made 27 appearances for his country, representing DR Congo at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as the Leopards finished fourth place.

Inonga Baka has plenty of trophies to his name, earning his first in 2021 when he won the Coupe du Congo with Kinshasa club DC Motema Pembe. He was named Best Defender following the 2020-21 season in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League with Simba, also being named in the league’s Team of the Season that campaign as well as the following season.

He also represented the DRC at the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) before becoming a regular contributor for the Leopards’ senior team, playing every minute of their successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Unfortunately, a lack of regular playing time and an extended spell as a free agent saw him fall out of the reckoning for Leopards coach Sébastien Desabre ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as well as crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.