Malcom Bokele clarifies choice to represent Cameroon

The pride of every football player is to wear the colours of his national team but that of Malcom Bokele had to undergo choices.

Born in France to DR Congo father and Cameroonian mother, the 26-year-old was embroiled in a dilemma of which national team to answer to.

🔴 Malcom Bokele réagit après les polémiques autour de son choix de sélection :

« Je tiens à préciser que je n’ai jamais été contacté par qui que ce soit pour représenter la RDC. Je me sens autant Camerounais que Congolais, et ces deux identités comptent énormément pour moi.… pic.twitter.com/7CCL23e75A

— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) April 14, 2026

The Goztepe centre-back was snapped up by Cameroon who called him up for the U-23 in 2021.

He went on to make his senior debut two years later during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Namibia.

Bokele took sometime to addresses the issue of choosing Cameroon over the DR Congo.

“I want to clarify that I have never been contacted by anyone to represent the DRC.

“I feel as much Cameroonian as Congolese, and both of these identities mean a great deal to me,” he was quoted by AllezLesLions.

Bokele has made 25 league appearances

“Today, I am proud to play for Cameroon and I fully stand by this choice, made with conviction and sincerity.

“This in no way diminishes the respect and attachment I have for Congo.

“In fact, I will be one of their biggest supporters, and I wish them lots of courage and success for the World Cup.”

Bokele developed at Lyon youth side before making professional appearances with Bourg-Peronnas B, Metz B and Bordeaux B between 2017 and 2022.

He signed permanently with Bordeaux in 2021 spending three seasons with a loan spell at Villefranche.

Turkish Super Lig side, Goztepe signed him in 2024 where he has become a mainstay.

The two time capped Indomitable Lion has made 25 appearances with three goals scored in the Turkish Super Lig this season for Goztepe.