Giannelli Imbula Cleared to Play for DR Congo

Midfielder Giannelli Imbula has edged closer to making his senior international debut for DR Congo after he successfully completed paperwork required by world football governing body FIFA.

Thus, the 26-year-old will be part of the team’s traveling party that leaves Kinshasa next week for a boot camp Madrid, Spain before connecting to Egypt for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Imbula, who spent the season on loan at Spanish club Rayo Vallecano from parent club Stoke City, was born in Belgium and raised in France.

He arrived in Kinshasa earlier this week in his first visit to DR Congo where his parents were born using a French passport but the immigration had already processed crucial documents as per laws of dual citizenship.

The ex-France youth player was named DR Congo’s 32-man provisional squad for the tournament after the central African country’s football officials got proof to buttress the fact that he has never featured in any international match in an official competition at senior level for France.

Imbula featured 22 times as Rayo Vallecano finished bottom of La Liga but has played only two league games in the last three months.

He faces a tough task to force his way into DR Congo coach Florent Imbenge’s squad as the Leopard’s midfield is thought to contain their best players.

Imbula will be up against the hugely experienced duo of Cahdrac and Akolo for a place in central midfield as well the promising Scotland-based Youssouf Mulumbu and Aaron Tshibola.

DR Congo are in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, Uganda and Zimbabwe, and will be based in Cairo.