Geoffrey Mujangi Bia Considers Representing DR Congo at AFCON 2015
As the Democratic Republic of Congo celebrates its qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, interest in the national team is growing — including among players in the diaspora. Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, the in-form attacker from Standard Liège, has expressed a strong interest in joining the Leopards for the upcoming tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Mujangi Bia, who has had an excellent start to the season in Belgium, was named in coach Florent Ibenge’s broad pre-selection list of 104 players back in August. That list also featured fellow Belgian-based players Mpoku, Lumanza, and Mbombo. With DR Congo now qualified for AFCON, the door may be open for Mujangi Bia to switch allegiance — something the player is now seriously considering.
“I haven’t given up on the Belgian national team yet, but we have to stay realistic,” he told Belgian newspapers Le Soir and La Dernière Heure. “All the Red Devils play in top European leagues, except in positions with less competition.”
Mujangi Bia, who has two caps for Belgium from the 2009 Kirin Cup, still feels a strong connection to his Congolese roots. “I am Belgian, but I also held Congolese nationality until I was 18. If I want, I can get it back very quickly — in two days even,” he explained, suggesting a switch of allegiance is both possible and feasible.
“I’m happy with the Leopards’ qualification and the efforts made by the Congolese federation,” he continued. “I’ve been in contact with the federation, and I told them that playing for DRC was not my immediate priority. But the AFCON is in January, and participating is certainly not out of the question. It’s a big tournament, with great players — very motivating.”
The ball is now in the court of Florent Ibenge, who will soon decide whether Mujangi Bia’s strong form and growing interest warrant a place in the Leopards’ final squad.
