Geoffrey Kondogbia believes a crucial transformation in mindset is powering African football’s rise on the global stage.
The Olympique de Marseille midfielder and Central African Republic international has offered a candid assessment of the continent’s football evolution, pointing to ambition as the new driving force behind its progress.
Once a French international, Kondogbia has experienced the game at its highest levels in Europe. Now representing the Central African Republic, he reflects on the changes he’s witnessed within African football and identifies a critical shift that is shaping its future.
“African players have now chosen to dream, something we might not have dared to do before, even though the talent was always there,” said Kondogbia, speaking with a striking sense of clarity. “What’s changing now is the ambition. That’s the key.”
For decades, African football has been synonymous with raw talent—players who dazzled with technical ability and natural flair. But for Kondogbia, that wasn’t always enough.
In his view, it was the psychological barrier, the self-imposed limitation of what was possible, that often prevented African nations from achieving their full potential.
That mental hurdle, he insists, is finally being dismantled.
“We’re no longer afraid to aim high,” Kondogbia explains. “There’s a belief now that we can compete, that we can win, that we can make history.”
He points to Morocco’s remarkable run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a defining example. The Atlas Lions stunned the world by reaching the semi-finals, becoming the first African team to do so. For Kondogbia, that moment did more than just inspire—it changed perceptions across the continent.
“When you see Morocco doing that, it plants a seed in the minds of other teams. It tells everyone else: yes, it’s possible,” he says.
This awakening has coincided with the growing presence of African players at top European clubs, where they continue to challenge stereotypes and reshape narratives.
Kondogbia himself has enjoyed a long career at the highest level, having played for clubs such as Sevilla, Valencia, Inter Milan, and Atlético Madrid before joining Marseille.
That experience has given him a broader perspective on the evolution of African football, both on and off the pitch. He sees the increasing professionalism within federations, a stronger support system for players, and a growing belief in African football’s global relevance.
“This is a new era,” he affirms. “We’re not just producing great players—we’re producing teams that believe in themselves, that play with a purpose, and that are aiming for the very top.”
While much work remains to be done, Kondogbia’s message is clear: the era of African football being content with participation is over.
The new generation, he says, wants to make history and is starting to believe it can.
For Geoffrey Kondogbia and the Central African Republic, as well as for countless others across the continent, the dream is no longer distant. It is within reach. And this time, they’re ready to chase it.
