DR Congo FA Lose Appeal Over Kanga Eligibility

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dismissed the DR Congo football association’s (FECOFA) appeal over the eligibility of Gabon midfielder Guelor Kanga.

Kanga, who plays his club football for Serbian club Red Star Belgrade, played for Gabon as they drew 0-0 with DR Congo in the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He was also on the team sheet for the return match which Gabon won 3-0, a result that sent the Panthers of Gabon to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The DR Congo football association (FECOFA) protested that the player is Congolese and does not meet the necessary criteria to play for Gabon.

Kanga, who started his football in Gabon, was reported to have moved to West African country under FECOFA license bearing the name Guelor Kiaku Kiaku Kiangana.

African football’s governing body ruled that the Gabon Football Federation was
able to prove that Kanga was born in Gabon making him eligible to play for the national team.

The 30-year-old has represented Gabon in six occasions four occasions in the recently concluded 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He has won 46 caps for Gabon since his debut nine years ago and has represented the Central African nation in two Africa Cup of Nations.