DR Congo has been given a significant boost from FIFA just hours before their crucial World Cup playoff final against Nigeria in Rabat.
The sole African spot for next year’s intercontinental playoffs will be determined on Sunday.
FIFA has officially approved change-of-association requests for three dual-national players included in the Congolese squad for this month’s international matches.
This decision allows Celtic midfielder Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Anderlecht star Mario Stroeykens, and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo to participate in competitive games for the Leopards.
The approvals, confirmed via FIFA’s regulatory platform, mean all three players are now eligible for the match against the Super Eagles on Sunday.
DR Congo was the first to announce their squad for the African FIFA World Cup Playoff, which includes some surprising selections.
Balikwisha and Epolo received their clearances on November 11 and 12, respectively, and were part of the matchday squad against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, although neither played.
All three players have now committed their senior international careers to DR Congo after previously representing Belgium at youth levels.
The addition of these players enhances what has become a notably European-influenced Congolese team.
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Coach Sébastien Desabre’s squad already features a strong lineup of players born or raised in Europe, including Lionel Mpasi, Timothy Fayulu, Steve Kapuadi, Joris Kayembe, Gédéon Kalulu, Arthur Masuaku, Rocky Bushiri, Théo Bongonda, Samuel Essende, Charles Pickel, Cédric Bakambu, and former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
DR Congo, which last qualified for the World Cup in 1974, believes that their blend of defensive discipline and new technical talent gives them a legitimate chance against a Nigerian team ranked 19 places higher by FIFA.
Sunday’s match will mark only the second competitive encounter between the two teams, the first being in 1994 when Nigeria defeated the Leopards 2-0 in the AFCON quarter-finals.
Nigeria also has a strong group of players born in Europe who have chosen to represent the Super Eagles.
Recent additions include Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, and Cyriel Dessers, following a path already paved by Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, and Ola Aina.
The Nigeria Football Federation is actively seeking more dual-national players, with Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo, Atalanta prospect Honest Ahanor, and Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha reportedly still on their radar.
