Kinshasa, May 29th, 2021 (CPA).- The President of the Republic and Congolese Head of State, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, is invited to get involved in the case of the player Guelor Kiaku Kiaku Kiangani, born in Kinshasa on October 8, 1985 , for FECOFA (Congolese Football Association) and in Oyem, Gabon, on September 1, 1990, for FEGAFOOT (Gabonese Football Federation).
After the decision of the disciplinary jury of the African Football Confederation (CAF) kicking in touch, Wednesday May 26 in Cairo, the tangible evidence of usurpation of the Congolese identity of the Panthers midfielder, Guelor Kanga, presented by the FECOFA in order to obtain the disqualification of Gabon from the African Cup of Nations (CAN) -Cameroon 2021, the highest Congolese authorities would do better to stick their noses in this case by hiring for example Swiss lawyers in order to take the defense of the case.
This involvement would counterbalance that of President Ali Bongo of Gabon, who, to face the DR Congo in Franceville during the qualifiers, chartered a special plane to pick up all the Gabonese internationals for the European championships and made an intervention with the French authorities and English to convince the French and English clubs to release all the players concerned by the said match. Also, President Ali Bongo forced his ministers to provide, each at his level, their support to the Panthers in order to block the path of the CAN from Cameroon to the Leopards of DR Congo. Leaving FECOFA to fight alone would be harmful in the land of the Leopards when we know that the name of Constant Omari Selemani is linked to that of the deposed president of CAF, the Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad, which name does not pass very well not only in the corridors of the African football institution but also in those of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) whose president Gianni Infantino put all his weight for the election of South African Patrice Motsepe as president of CAF.
Reading closely the decision of the disciplinary panel of CAF, it could not find any irregularity concerning the eligibility of the offending player, nor his registration with CAF. For the jury, Guelor Kanga was born in 2008, has no past, nor parents, while FECOFA, in its argument, presented elements of the file including the deed of succession of the family building at number 162 avenue Bosenge, in the commune of Ngiri Ngiri, the certificate of family composition, the passport application form by Mr. Nsiala William, father of Guelor Kiaku Kiaku Kiangani (Guélor Kanga for FEGAFOOT), the identification form for large parents, the indictment of information relating to identification, the player’s enrollment card at the Independent National Commission (INEC) in the name of Kiaku Kiaku Kiangani Guelor born in Kinshasa on October 8, 1985. These legally valid elements attest that the alleged Guelor Kanga has falsified his name. On the other hand, FEGAFOOT submitted as evidence the birth certificate of the player Guelor Kanga Kiaku, the passport of the person concerned, his sports passport, his copies of Gabonese club licenses and the player’s European sports career.
In addition, the disciplinary jury considered that the fact that Guelor Kanga is registered on the CMS system of CAF as being Gabonese and having participated since 2008 in all CAF competitions with the Panthers of Gabon and the Gabonese teams in interclub competitions ruled out any ambiguity of falsification of nationality. In other words, these documents are enough to prove someone’s nationality. Normally, the jury, need to say the law, would have had to go beyond 2008 to obtain and do a comparative study of the documents relating to the identity of the player.
The fallout from CAN at the center of everything The issue at stake is decisive, especially since it involves participation in a final phase of a more prestigious competition on the continent reserved for African nations and whose dividends are not to be demonstrated. It’s about honor, track record and financial condition for nations, but also showcase for players. What could be more normal that the battle is tough between the two countries, the DRC (eliminated on the ground) and Gabon (qualified).
The DRC determined to make the truth triumph!
On Wednesday, the disciplinary jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected the request of the DR Congo, which called for the disqualification of Gabon for the CAN 2021 by accusing the midfielder of the Panthers, Guelor Kanga, of falsification of identity . Despite this verdict against it, FECOFA is determined not to throw in the towel. She remains determined to work for the triumph of truth and justice because these acts of cheating should be discouraged.
« The Federation lodged the appeal in accordance with Articles 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, » the Congolese body said Thursday on its official website. And even in the event of a new rejection, FECOFA has sworn not to stay there: « In the event that the DRC does not succeed in CAF, it will seize the higher authorities concerning this file of usurpation of the Congolese nationality ”. One way to prevent the DR Congo is ready to go and plead its case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). What matters for the country of the Leopards is not a probable qualification on the green carpet but rather respect for the texts governing continental football. ACP/Fng/nig