Gabonese footballer Guelor Kanga is at the center of a gripping saga involving alleged age manipulation, prompting an investigation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This intriguing case unravels a compelling mystery surrounding Kanga’s birth year, with reports suggesting discrepancies related to the year of his mother’s passing.
Kanga, a prominent offensive midfielder for Red Star Belgrade and the Gabon national team, has maintained his official birth year as 1990, yet compelling evidence has emerged, raising questions about the veracity of this claim. The alleged disparity arises from the unfortunate loss of Kanga’s mother in 1985 – a staggering five years before his purported birth.
The unfolding controversy has garnered widespread attention, with the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) filing a formal complaint against Gabon for fielding a player with a potentially falsified nationality. According to Fecofa, Kanga’s passport details birthplace in Oyem, Gabon, yet suggests an alternate identity as Kiaku Kiaku Kiangana from Kinshasa, DRC, born in 1985.
If proven, the ramifications of age and identity fraud could reverberate profoundly for Kanga and the Gabonese Football Federation. Potential repercussions may include accusations of document forgery and non-compliance with FIFA protocols regarding nationality changes, casting a shadow of potential suspension from future tournaments over Gabon.
As the adjudication process unfolds, Kanga faces the imperative to present himself before CAF officials to elucidate the anomalies surrounding his age and identity. This intricate narrative continues to captivate audiences worldwide, signifying the profound impact of age manipulation within the realm of international football.
Compiled by a staff writer
