Geoffrey Kondogbia switches allegiances from France to Central African Republic
The former France international was given the all clear to change nations by Fifa last month
GEOFFREY KONDOGBIA has officially switched his allegiance from France to the Central African Republic.
The Valencia midfielder sealed his international fate by playing in Central African Republic's 4-0 African Nations Cup qualifying defeat to Ivory Coast on Friday.
Kondogbia had represented the World Cup winners at junior and senior level - but had never made any competitive appearances for Les Bleus.
Born in France to parents from CAR, the 25-year-old thought it would be worth a shot to play for the national team.
However, the closest he came to playing a competitive match was in 2014 when he was an unused substitute in France's World Cup 2014 qualifier against Belarus.
Fifa gave the all clear for the midfielder to switch his allegiances as his five appearances were friendlies and so he was still eligible.
Kondogbia has pledged his allegiance to the African outfit after failing to break into the French first team - and was immediately given the armband in his first game for the nation.
It is no surprise the midfield powerhouse found it hard to break through the France ranks - with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi holding the central-midfield roles.
Kondogbia now joins his older brother Evan in representing Central African Republic.
