A lot has changed since Geoffrey Kondogbia last played for France.
On that occasion, a 2-1 win against Serbia on 7 September 2015, Kondogbia had just signed for Inter Milan for a reported €40million.
Fast forward three years (and one month, if we’re being pedantic) and Kondogbia was back on the international scene.
The likely lads
Except Kondogbia wasn’t turning out for the nation ranked no.1 by FIFA. Nope, he was captaining the Central African Republic, who enter the FIFA rankings at a lowly no.111.
The Valencia midfielder has thrown his hat in with the Central African Republic after making five non-competitive appearances for France between 2013 and 2015.
Kondogbia played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 loss at the hands of Ivory Coast, in which Eric Bailly scored his first international goal.
Wilfried Zaha, who made two non-competitive appearances for England, had a hand in the fourth goal.
The floor is swapping nations
As the fixture was an African Cup of Nations qualifier, Kondogbia will no longer be able to switch international allegiance.
Evans Kongobia, Geoffrey’s older brother, also turned out for the Central African Republic, making five appearances.
Kondogbia’s new team-mates are of slightly different calibre to his former French colleagues.
Nutmeg incoming
Three- Geoffrey Lembet, Eloge Yamissi and Quentin Ngakoutou- are currently unattached.
Two- Elvis Samolah and Tresor Toropite- still play their football in the Central African Republic domestic league.
Ralph Kottoy turns out for Carrick Rangers in the second-tier of Northern Irish football, while experienced midfielder Franklin Anzite plays for PKNP in Malaysia.
Not quite Kylian Mbappe and co, but the honour of representing his parents’ country of birth clearly makes up for any lack in class.
1ère selection avec le Centreafrique 
et une immense fierté ! Merci à tous pour votre accueil chaleureux ! pic.twitter.com/JaSfruiMek
— Geoffrey Kondogbia (@Geo_Kondogbia) October 13, 2018
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