Geoffrey Kondogbia is set to revoke his right to play for France by appearing in a competitive fixture for the Central African Republic.
The Valencia midfielder has played five times at senior level for France, but all of those appearances have come in friendlies which means he is eligible to switch to the CAR as he holds dual nationality.
Kondogbia was granted permission by FIFA to make the switch last month, but injury prevented him from appearing for Raoul Savoy’s side in their defeat against Guinea.
He has arrived to join his new international team-mates as they prepare for their African Cup of Nations 2019 qualifier against Ivory Coast on Friday.
The 25-year-old, who was born in France, helped Les Bleus win the Under-20 World Cup alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Florian Thauvin, before making his senior debut aged 20.
He was an unused substitute for France’s World Cup 2014 qualifier against Belarus in 2013 and an appearance in that match would have prevented him from switching away from playing for France.
The Central African Republic Football Federation said in a statement in September: “Geoffrey Kondogbia can henceforth play with the Central African Republic.
“He will be able to make his grand debut with the Central African selection in October, for the third and fourth days of the CAN 2019 qualifiers in Cote d’Ivoire.”
The CAR sit third in their qualifying group, level with Ivory Coast, with three points from two games.
