Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha has been doing a lot of waiting.
His first wait was for his Celtic move to go through, with Brendan Rodgers pursuing him at Royal Antwerp for over a year.
He was finally signed in the last week of the transfer window, a day after the club’s disastrous Champions League exit. He was thrown straight into the starting eleven for the goalless Glasgow Derby against Rangers.
He was moved to the right flank for the next fixture against Kilmarnock, and has only appeared from the bench since. It hasn’t been an ideal start for his Celtic career.
He has also been awaiting approval from FIFA for a switch to play for DR Congo, his country of descent. And at long last, a decision on that has finally come.
FIFA make decision on Celtic’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha
Balikwisha was a youth international for Belgium, featuring alongside Arne Engels for their under-21s.
But now aged 24, he is willing to commit to a DR Congo side on the rise. His brother, William, has been committed to them since youth level.
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Balikwisha was named in the squad for their upcoming final World Cup qualifier against Cameroon – and FIFA have finally approved his international switch.
His intentions to play for Congo have been clear since the summer, but he has faced a frustrating wait for all the relevant paperwork to go through.
But it’s now official – Balikwisha is a DR Congo player.
It’s perfect timing for it too, with the ‘Léopards’ in a crucial one-leg semi-final play-off against Cameroon on Thursday.
Should they go through, they will face either Gabon or Nigeria for a place in next summer’s World Cup.
The nation hasn’t played in a World Cup since their days known as Zaire. Back in the day, they famously faced Scotland at the tournament in 1974.
With the presence of stars such as £50 million striker Yoane Wissa, former Man Utd defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and rising Sunderland star Noah Sadiki, there are hopes that this can be the group of players to go right where previous sides have gone wrong.
Celtic players on international duty
Kelechi Iheanacho is unavailable for Nigeria through injury, but has been a crucial presence for the Super Eagles through the years for relatively consistent performances.
Auston Trusty’s return to form has been rewarded with a call-up for the USA – he will be desperate to be involved in a home World Cup next summer.
Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney’s Scotland will go head-to-head with Kasper Schmeichel’s Denmark next week in what could potentially be a one-match shootout for qualification at Hampden.
Johnny Kenny, Benjamin Nygren and Viljami Sinisalo are all also gearing up to represent their respective national sides.
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