SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - By signing for Russian side BC Khimki Moscow this summer, Nobel Boungou-Colo put an end to five successful seasons with Limoges in the French Ligue National de Basket (LNB). But his fellow Congolese are desperate to have him next summer.

The 2.02m forward won two LNB Pro A titles, was named the All-Star Game 2013 MVP, but somehow has never represented the French national team at an official competition despite being pre-selected on a number of occasions.

Meanwhile, his native Republic of Congo have plenty of reasons to welcome him with open arms.

"I left the door open. Everything is possible. They are trying to do everything to do well in the Brazzaville next summer." - Boungou-Colo

Next summer, the Republic of Congo will host the FIBA AfroBasket - Africa's elite basketball competition - and, because of his dual French-Congolese citizenship, Boungou-Colo could be a perfect fit for a country famed for having talented basketball players but who are yet to prove it on the big stage.

The good news for the Congolese is that Boungou-Colo has never ruled out the idea of playing for the Central Africans. Brazzaville, the backdrop of FIBA AfroBasket 2017 and also the player's place of birth, could become the starting point of his international career.

Two years ago, Boungou-Colo told me he was open to playing for Congo. Over the weekend I invited him to be more specific and share his thoughts about his intentions of playing international basketball.

He said he doesn't feel bitter for being cut from the Les Bleus, therefore it is the recognition of his talent that makes him proud.

In the build-up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014, France played Greece and head coach Vincent Collet said that "Nobel scored points for the future both in terms of his attitude and also because he broke into the reckoning for the French team, which is not easy for a newcomer, given the size of the team that has been together for almost six years".

However, France played at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 and Rio Olympics without Boungou-Colo.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Congo has not featured at a major tournament since 2013.

"These are two countries that I like. I don't put one above the other," Boungou-Colo told me. "They [Congo] have been inviting me to play for Congo for a long time. Maybe one day I will have to make a clear decision. This is not an easy situation to be in, but I think my decision will be taken this coming summer."

During his last visit to Congo earlier this year, Boungou-Colo met with federation officials, and they discussed the need of building a competitive team.

"I left the door open. Everything is possible. They are trying to do everything to do well in the Brazzaville next summer," he said.

While the Congolese hosted last year's All-African Games, they have yet to organise a tournament of the magnitude of the FIBA AfroBasket.

Boungou-Colo also feels there is no better way than Africa's flagship basketball competition to introduce their best players to the world.

"We have some very good players all over Europe and some are currently playing college basketball in the USA," he said. "If our foreign-based players know how the federation works, I am sure many will have an interest in playing for Congo. If the federation works well, the players will follow."

Whether he decides to represent the Republic of Congo or not, Boungou-Colo will continue enjoying his time in Moscow, where he says he is having a good time.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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