during his sole season at porto, n'kongolo appeared in 17 matches – 16 starts – as his team finished second to s.l. benfica. he returned to espinho for three further campaigns, with the "tigers" now in the second division. on 10 march 1993, after playing a few months with atlético clube de portugal in the third level, the player died from a brain embolism; he was only 31 years old.