Who says it's too late? DR Congo's unexpected call-up shines at AFCON at 34

Even 18 years ago, when he was just another French prospect, Gael Kakuta hinted at big things. After all, Chelsea does not sign just any 16-year-old. At Stamford Bridge, they saw something in the young lad born in Lille.

Yet, as it unfortunately frequently happens, he never got a proper chance in London, making only 16 appearances. As is often the case, he moved from loan to loan - to be fair, to some renowned clubs, such as Fulham, Bolton, Dijon, Vitesse, Lazio, and Rayo Vallecano - until he eventually left the Blues' ranks in 2015.

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However, the stint in Sevilla brought him little, as did spells in China and his homeland, though he left a so-so mark at Lens and Amiens. Finally, the last and current seasons at Iranian Esteghlal and Turkish second-tier side Sakaryaspor were recognized as the sad end of a subpar career of another enormous talent, which fell seriously short.

After all, Eden Hazard's words about Kakuta speak volumes.

"Most talented player I've played alongside? Gael Kakuta. The only one I was saying 'wow' was Gael Kakuta. You asked me talent. Kakuta, by, far number one. Talent. I mean, talent. Wow."

"You know I played against him a lot because I used to play at Lille, he was playing in Lens. In the north of France that's a derby."

"Me being me, we used to win every game, 5-0, 6-0, me being best player ever time. Then we play against him - we're losing the game! He's the best player? What?! That's not normal."

"Now it's easy to say but I think he went a bit too early to Chelsea. I think he was 16. That step at 16 is a huge step."

Kind words and harsh reality.

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After moving through all the youth categories of the French national team, Kakuta opted to switch allegiance and represent DR Congo at the international level.

Still, even with the Leopards, he didn't confirm his immense talent, as three goals in 28 games were by no means a satisfactory impact. He was part of the generation that finished fourth at AFCON 2023, but didn't play a significant role, failing to find the net in the four games he played.

Everyone thought his glorious days - if he even had them - were long gone, and his days were numbered.

Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he wasn't a part of the DR Congo head coach Sebastian Desabre's plans. However, when Anderlecht forward Mario Stroeykens picked up an injury, the national team needed a stand-in solution, and Kakuta emerged as an option.

After spending the first two duels against Benin and Senegal, he finally got a chance in the starting XI against the continental minnows Botswana, but in a match that the Leopards had to win.

And he shone!

In a 3-0 victory, Kakuta bagged a brace, while his backheel assist for Nathanael Mbuku's opener was a moment of incredible inspiration, poetry in motion, the proof of his unbelievable talent, and a move that will go down as one of the tournament's greatest.

At the same time, it adds to the regret that he didn't achieve more in his career, even though he undoubtedly could.

Nevertheless, in the end, Kakuta showed that it's never too late to leave a mark. Even if you have to wait until the age of 34.

AFCON 2025 - GROUP STAGE

3rd round

Monday

Angola - Egypt 0-0

Zimbabwe - South Africa 2-3 (1-1)

/Maswanhise 19, Modiba 73 og - Moremi 7, Foster 50, Appollis 82 pen/

Comoros - Mali 0-0

Zambia - Morocco 0-3 (0-2)

/El Kaabi 9, 50, Diaz 27/

Tuesday

Tanzania - Tunisia 1-1 (0-1)

/Salum 48 - Gharbi 43 pen/

Uganda - Nigeria 1-3 (0-1)

/Mato 75 - Onuachu 28, Onyedika 62, 67/

Benin - Senegal 0-3 (0-1)

/Seck 38, Diallo 62, Ndiaye C. 90+7 pen/

Botswana - DR Congo 0-3 (0-2)

/Mbuku 31, Kakuta 41 pen, 60/

Wednesday

19.00: (6.00) Equatorial Guinea (3.60) Algeria (1.65)

19.00: (4.60) Sudan (3.35) Burkina Faso (1.87)

22.00: (6.00) Gabon (3.60) Ivory Coast (1.65)

22.00: (7.00) Mozambique (4.50) Cameroon (1.45)

***odds are subject to change***