Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has officially switched his international allegiance from France to the Central African Republic.
Kondogbia was born in France to parents from Central African Republic and represented Les Bleus at both junior and senior level, helping the Under-20 side win the 2013 World Cup.
The 25-year-old had also picked up five caps for France’s senior side, but they all were in friendly matches, with the last coming in September 2015.
After missing on the Les Bleus’ World Cup win this summer, Kondogbia declared himself for Central African Republic, able to do so having failed to play a competitive game for France.
As a result, the midfielder started for Central African Republic in their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast on Friday, wearing the number 19 shirt and being named captain
LINE UP | The starting XI for the upcoming match #CIVCTA #AFCON2019Q pic.twitter.com/HC8VIVtuTA
— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 12, 2018
Kondogbia had come close to playing a competitive game for France back in September 2014, but was an unused substitute in their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Belarus.
The midfielder joins his older brother, Evans, in represented Central African Republic with the striker earning five caps so far.
Kondogbia’s club career
Starting off with French club RC Lens, Kondogbia moved to Sevilla in 2012 but would only spend a year in La Liga, before returning to France with Monaco.
The midfielder made 64 appearances for Monaco, eventually catching the eye of Inter Milan and moving in 2015.
After 56 appearances with Inter Milan across two years, Kondogbia moved to Valencia last summer, initially on a loan deal, before making it permanent this year having impressed and found himself at home with Los Che.
The post Geoffrey Kondogbia commits international future to Central African Republic despite senior France caps appeared first on Squawka News.
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