Jorthy Mokio has chosen the Democratic Republic of Congo, even if the Ajax midfielder must wait before he can play a competitive match for the Leopards.
The Ligue 1 news
The 18-year-old Belgian prospect has contacted DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre to declare his wish to represent the country of his family origins. Mokio, born in Ghent and now a regular in Ajax’s midfield, made a brief senior appearance for Belgium in March 2025 under Rudi Garcia. At two minutes, it made him the fifth-youngest player in the history of the Red Devils.
That appearance means Mokio cannot immediately switch allegiance for official fixtures. He will have to complete a three-year waiting period before becoming eligible for DR Congo in competitive football. He can nevertheless join the squad during the September international window and take part in friendlies, while watching the qualifying matches from the stands.
Desabre said Mokio was prepared to accept the delay because of how strongly he wanted to play for DR Congo. The coach sees his arrival as an important signal as the national team continues to attract players developed in European academies.
DR Congo reached the last 16 of the most recent World Cup before losing 2-1 to England, and Desabre believes the progress around the national side has strengthened its appeal. He is entering his fifth year in charge, an unusually long spell for a DR Congo coach, with his contract running until 2030.
Mokio follows Lille’s Ngal’ayel Mukau and Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki in committing to the Leopards. Desabre’s September group also includes several dual-national players with international youth experience elsewhere.
- Ezechiel Banzuzi, 21, of Leipzig and a Netherlands Under-21 international;
- Kévin Pedro, 20, of Saint-Étienne and a France Under-19 player;
- Jordy Makengo of Freiburg;
- Stephy Mavididi, 28, of Leicester and a former England Under-20 international.
Monaco’s Stanis Idumbo and Lorient’s Noah Mbamba, both 21 and Belgium Under-21 internationals, were also in the frame but are unavailable through injury for this gathering.
Desabre said the recruitment work is carried out discreetly and is intended to deepen the squad rather than transform it overnight. He pointed to the team’s increasingly professional organisation, the large Congolese diaspora in Europe and domestic options such as goalkeeper Nathan Ndibu.
The coach also stressed that the established core remains central, naming Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka among the experienced figures. The younger arrivals, he said, bring competition and freshness without pressure being placed on them to choose DR Congo.
Next appointment
DR Congo face Equatorial Guinea on Thursday at 18:00, offering the Leopards an immediate test as Desabre’s expanding pool begins to take shape.
