Kylian Mbappe celebrating scoring a goal for France in a pre-World Cup match in March 2018. His mother is from Algeria and his father from Cameroon.



Analysis By Michael Tantoh

Les Bleus have progressed to the final of the World Cup tournament and are set to meet Croatia on Sunday, having triumphed 2-1 over England. A goal from Cameroon-born French defender Samuel Umtiti was all they needed to overcome a solid Belgian team.

But African fans are divided over the French player line-up.

The team is made up almost entirely of players of African descent, and fans have made their sentiments clear on social media. On the one hand, those who can be considered Pan-Africanists seem displeased by the fact that African players chose the French national team over their countries of origin.



They believe these players should have brought these talents to their various national squads to improve the quality of African football and maybe give Africans hope of one day lifting the World Cup trophy.

Social media comments like "So France imports everything including players ... meaning finally France Na new Africa now," came from Chunka on Facebook. Others like Wolloman wrote "France is Africa United".

But many fans are simply happy that "African" compatriots are proving themselves in the world showpiece. "Go les Bleus" was their attitude. Pheliswa Somciza-Zibi on Facebook said, "The French our people", and Gcobisa Baliso added: "Mabamele icontinent nangoku apho bakhoyo", translated as they are representing the continent.

Below are the French/African players and their origin.

Presnel Kimpembe was born on the August 13, 1995, has a Congolese father and plays as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team.

Samuel Umtiti born November 14, 1993 in Yaounde Cameroon plays as a centre-back for Spanish club Barcelona and the French national team.

Paul Pogba was born in Lagny-sur-Marne France to migrant parents from Guinea and plies his trade with English giants Manchester United.

Kylian Mbappé Lottin born on December 20, 1998 in Bondy France of a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother, plays for Paris Saint-Germain F.C in France and is a forward for the French national team.

For more Information:
Contact: 07056840241
Email: cafedivine2017@gmail.com
Website: www.naija4african..com