Allan Kimbaloula’s International Dilemma: Congo or Cameroon?
Allan Kimbaloula, a promising attacking midfielder currently playing for Estonian club JK Nömme Kalju, has been making waves with his performances this season, having scored four goals and provided two assists in just nine matches. His talent has caught the attention of several European clubs, with French, English, and Italian teams reportedly tracking his progress.
Kimbaloula, who is of Congolese and Cameroonian descent, has now received a call-up from French coach Claude Leroy to join the Congo national team for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The 22-year-old, originally from Tourcoing, was named in the 24-man squad for Congo’s upcoming match against Namibia on May 17.
In an interview, Kimbaloula shared his excitement about the call-up, saying, “I won’t hide the fact that I was impressed to receive this phone call. I was very happy because I’m part of a club that’s much less exposed than some of the other members of the team.” The midfielder has the added complexity of having to choose between representing Congo, which he identifies with through his father, or Cameroon, through his mother. He admitted, “It’s a very difficult choice.”
His call-up to the Congo national team comes as he continues to impress at club level, and his decision will undoubtedly be closely watched by both national teams as they look to secure his talents for the future.
