Ngal’ayel Mukau is currently playing in the Africa Cup of Nations with the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, he had started to represent Belgium at the U18 level.
Revelation of the championship under Besnik Hasi in the 2023/2024 season, Ngal’ayel Mukau confirmed in Lille, notably with five-star performances on the European scene. Today valued at 12 million by Transfermarkt, he could have been a hope of Belgian football. But at the age of 21, it was the Congo that he chose.
Belgium was not lively enough: “When I was already in the first team in Mechelen and I was watching the U21 selection, I saw all the players in my position who were still playing in reserve. I found it strange not to be there. And when I became a starter, I really expected to be selected. But that didn’t happen. So, I started to be interested in Congo”, explains the midfielder to the influencer Junior Vertongen.
Adulated in Congo
After representing Belgium at U18 and Congo at U20, Mukau definitively opted for the Leopards. As is often the case when a dual national hesitates between Belgium and the DRC, Noah Sadiki is not far away: “I had already played in the U21 side, but I hadn’t yet made my decision. In reserve, I played with Noah Sadiki, and he ended up convincing me to choose Congo after having made his choice.
“Shortly after, I received a call from the national coach who asked me if I was ready. I didn’t want to wait for Belgium any longer,” continues the LOSC player, who has absolutely no regrets about his decision.
The welcome from the supporters reinforced his choice: “The first time I went there, it was completely crazy. I hadn’t even left the airport yet when I was already cheered by the crowd. I saw all these photos and these jerseys with my image. That’s when I said to myself: I’m in the right place. If you win there, you are king in the eyes of the supporters.”
