Samuel Emmanuel Essende Mbongu (born 30 January 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for German Bundesliga club FC Augsburg.

Essende joined the Paris Saint-Germain Academy at the age of 12, and spent his entire youth footballing career with them.

[4] He made his professional debut with Eupen in a 1–0 Belgian First Division A win over Mouscron on 25 August 2018.

[8] After he scored 10 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions during the first half of the season, Vizela triggered a buy-clause and permanently signed Essende on contract until June 2026.

[11] Essende made his debut for the DR Congo national team on 6 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Senegal at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium.