Red Star Belgrade attacking midfielder Guelor Kanga went under fire for allegedly falsifying his age during 2021 AFCON
As per reports, Guelor Kanga allegedly subtracted five years from his actual age based on findings by football chiefs from Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese Football Federation, took up the allegations against Kanga, claiming the Gabonese attacker was born in 1985 when Kanga's official documents carries September 1, 1990 as his official date of birth.
Democratic Republic of Congo argued Guelor Kanga's mother died in 1986, a year after he gave birth to Guelor Kanga in Kinshasa, DRC, hence the footballer was said to have pegged down his age by five years.
Kanga had argued he is 30 years despite the allegations, a year younger than Gabon national team captain and Olympique Marseille striker Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang.
Details of the report revealed Kanga was also falsifying everything about himself, including his real name.
According to Congolese Football Federation, Kanga's real name was Kiaku Kiaku Kiankana. The Congolese Football Federation were reportedly able to unravel the purported mysteries on Kanga as the player is originally a Congolese but switched nationality to Gabon later on his career.
The move by Congolese Football Federation to probe the youngster was also seen as vindictive as Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo were in the same group in 2021 AFCON.
A statement by CAF confirming a receipt of a petition on Kanga by Congolese Football Federation read;
"We hereby inform you that CAF have opened an investigation into the case in question. You are hereby requested to send us your comments concerning the allegations."
Kanga's club Red Star Belgrade reacted to the allegations
After the allegations against Kanga surfaced, his club Red Star Belgrade issued a statement clarifying their position on the incident.
The club described the allegations as the product of a war between two alliances over Africa Cup of Nations. They expressed their solidarity with Kanga hoping to have the issue resolve to his favor.
Red Star Belgrade statement reads;
"He (Kanga) played in Russia and Czech Republic, and did not have problems whatsoever. We see this allegations as a product of war of alliances between the two countries with Kanga being the collateral damage.
"We hope the issue will be resolved on his favor."
CAF later throw out the petition by Congolese Football Federation for not being conclusive and refused to disqualify the player from the tournament.
As per reports, Guelor Kanga allegedly subtracted five years from his actual age based on findings by football chiefs from Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese Football Federation, took up the allegations against Kanga, claiming the Gabonese attacker was born in 1985 when Kanga's official documents carries September 1, 1990 as his official date of birth.
Democratic Republic of Congo argued Guelor Kanga's mother died in 1986, a year after he gave birth to Guelor Kanga in Kinshasa, DRC, hence the footballer was said to have pegged down his age by five years.
Kanga had argued he is 30 years despite the allegations, a year younger than Gabon national team captain and Olympique Marseille striker Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang.
Details of the report revealed Kanga was also falsifying everything about himself, including his real name.
According to Congolese Football Federation, Kanga's real name was Kiaku Kiaku Kiankana. The Congolese Football Federation were reportedly able to unravel the purported mysteries on Kanga as the player is originally a Congolese but switched nationality to Gabon later on his career.
The move by Congolese Football Federation to probe the youngster was also seen as vindictive as Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo were in the same group in 2021 AFCON.
A statement by CAF confirming a receipt of a petition on Kanga by Congolese Football Federation read;
"We hereby inform you that CAF have opened an investigation into the case in question. You are hereby requested to send us your comments concerning the allegations."
Kanga's club Red Star Belgrade reacted to the allegations
After the allegations against Kanga surfaced, his club Red Star Belgrade issued a statement clarifying their position on the incident.
The club described the allegations as the product of a war between two alliances over Africa Cup of Nations. They expressed their solidarity with Kanga hoping to have the issue resolve to his favor.
Red Star Belgrade statement reads;
"He (Kanga) played in Russia and Czech Republic, and did not have problems whatsoever. We see this allegations as a product of war of alliances between the two countries with Kanga being the collateral damage.
"We hope the issue will be resolved on his favor."
CAF later throw out the petition by Congolese Football Federation for not being conclusive and refused to disqualify the player from the tournament.