Villarreal forward Cedric Bakambu has pulled out of DR Congo outing to Kenya this month for a friendly against the hosts citing “private obligations.”
The Leopards are scheduled to play an international friendly against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on March 26th at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi and the 25-year-old was among coach Florent Ibenge’s call-ups.
“I had the honor of once again being selected to represent my nation in a friendly against Kenya. However, due private obligations I could not honor my selection this time,” Bakambu broke the news on his official Facebook page.
“I will follow the match like all other supporters of the Leopards.”
Bakambu has enjoyed scintillating form for Villerreal – notching import goals for the Yellow Submarines, who are currently placed sixth in La Liga.
He scored in Villerreal’s 2-0 win against Espanyol on Saturday.
Bakambu last featured for the Leopards in the 2017 Gabon African Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they failed to go past the last eight.
Kenya played DRC last year October in a warm-up they won 1-0 in Kinshasa. Prolific striker Michael Olunga scored the lone goal that handed coach Stanley Okumbi his maiden win as the Harambee Stars coach.
DRC Squad:
Goalkeepers (4): 1. MATAMPI LEY Vumi (TP MAZEMBE / DR Congo) 2. KUDIMBANA NICAISE (ANTWERP / Belgium) 3. KIASSUMBUA JOEL (WHOLLEN FC / Switzerland) 4. MANDANDA RUFFI (Ajaccio / France)
Defenders (9): ISSAMA MPEKO 6. IKOKO JORDAN (GUINGAMP / France) 7. NSAKALA FABRICE (ALANYA SPOR / Turkey) 8. NSIMBA VITAL (BOURG-EN-BRESSE / France) 9. TISSERAND MARCEL (FC INGOLSTADT / Germany) 10. BOPE MERVEILLE (STANDARD OF LIEGE / Belgium) 11. LUYINDAMA NEKADIO (STANDARD DE LIEGE / Belgium) 12. BANGALA LITOMBO YANNICK (AS V.CLUB / DR Congo) 13. LOMALISA MUTAMBALA JOYCE (AS V.CLUB / DR Congo)
Midfielders (16): 14. KEMAVAAKA WILSON (DARMSTADT / Germany) 17. LEMA MABIDI (RAJA CASABLANCA / Morocco) 18. KEBANO NEESKENS (FULHAM / Germany) MPOKU PAUL-JOSE (PANATHINAIKOS / Greece) 20. NKOLOLO JORDAN (LAVAL / France) 21.24. BIJIMINE (CORDOBA / Spain) 25. TSHIBOLA (NOTTINGHAM FOREST / England) 26. NZONZI (WAREGEM / Belgium) 23. NAKAKOTO YENI (QUEEN PARK RANGERS / STEVEN (SEVILLE / Spain) 27. MULUMBU YOUSSUF (NORWICH / England) 28.BUKIA (BOAVISTA / Portugal) 29. BELA (DIJON / France)
Strikers (30): BOKILA JEREMY (BELEDIYESPOR / Turkey) 31. BUBBLE JORDAN (CHARLTON / England) 32. MUBELE NDOMBE FIRMIN (RENNES STADIUM / France) 33. JUNIOR KABANANGA (ASTANA / Kazasthan) 34. MABUATI CEDRIC (MURCIA / Spain) 35.BAKAMBU CEDRICK (VILLAREAL / Spain)* 36. BOLINGI MPANGI JONATHAN (STANDARD DE LIEGE / Belgium) 37. ASSOMBALANGA (NOTTINGHAM FOREST / ENGLAND) 38. AKOLO (SION / Switzerland) 40. MESCHACK ELIA (TP MAZEMBE / DR Congo)TULENGI SINDANI RICKY (DCMP / DR Congo) 41. NKUFO ISSOKO ARNOLD (VICTORIA SETUBAL / Portugal) 42. MBALA (BOAVISTA / Portugal) 43. MANZALA (AMIENS / France) 44. KATCHUNGA (HUDDERSFIELD /NKUFO ISSOKO ARNOLD (VICTORIA SETUBAL / Portugal) 42. MBALA (BOAVISTA / Portugal) 43. MANZALA (AMIENS / France) 44. KATCHUNGA (HUDDERSFIELD /NKUFO ISSOKO ARNOLD (VICTORIA SETUBAL / Portugal) 42. MBALA (BOAVISTA / Portugal) 43. MANZALA (AMIENS / France) 44. KATCHUNGA (HUDDERSFIELD /MANZALA (AMIENS / France) 44. KATCHUNGA (HUDDERSFIELD / England)MANZALA (AMIENS / France) 44. KATCHUNGA (HUDDERSFIELD / England)
