The drama over whose international shirt Steve Zakuani will wear appears to be over.
Sounders Midfielder Steve Zakuani Chooses Congo DR Over USMNT
The Sounders midfielder announced on Friday that he'll be playing with the Democratic Republic of Congo (not to be confused with Congo) in friendly against Mali in Paris on Wednesday. Zakuani, who was born in what was then called Zaire, moved to England as a 4-year-old and has been in the United States since playing for the Akron men's soccer team from 2007-09. All three countries were apparently seeking his services.
From the sound of it, playing for the U.S. was a close second, but needing to wait at least three years to become a citizen was problematic.
“I definitely considered playing for the U.S., but the three-year wait for citizenship, without any fast-tracking possibilities, made the decision to represent the nation of my birth a little bit easier. I’m excited about the challenge ahead,” Zakuani said in a team release.
In choosing Congo DR, Zakuani has chosen to represent a country that has appeared in just one World Cup and none since 1974. The Leopards have not even made the last two African Nations Cups and are the 124th ranked country in the world and the 35th ranked country in CAF.
The country does have a rich history, though. It was the first black African team to qualify for the World Cup, was once ranked as high as 51st by FIFA and have won two African Cup of Nations (1968, ‘74).
Since that high point, the Congo DR team has suffered from instability, which has contributed to many of their top players suiting up for other countries. Zakuani's Sounders teammate Blaise Nkufo plays internationally for Switzerland, Jose Bosingwa plays for Portugal and Claude Makelele suits up for France.
Zakuani may just be the latest example of a changing tide. Wednesday’s roster includes players from the top leagues in Belgium, England, France and Turkey.
Zakuani also admitted to recruiting Danny Mwanga, the former No. 1 draft pick who scored seven goals in his rookie season with the Philadelphia Union.
“I’ve been on his case all week! No idea what he will do!” Zakuani tweeted in response to a question from @sounderatheart.
This was clearly a decision about more than football.
For one, there’s a family element. Zakuani’s brother, Gabriel, will also play on the team. It will be the first time since childhood the two have been teammates. Zakuani also said he has numerous family members still living in Congo DR.
During an interview with the Sounders website, Zakuani talked of wanting to set an example for youths all over the African continent.
"I grew up in community in England with a lot of African kids – from Ghana, and Congo and Nigeria – and we always talked about how an African Nation can become so united. We saw Ghana do it at the World Cup. I want to be part of that with the Congo," said Zakuani, 22. "Being born there – you can’t take that away."
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