Scores Rennes en direct
15 January 2011 | à 14h28

International: Kana-Biyik between a rock and a hard place

International: Kana-Biyik between a rock and a hard place

A few weeks ago, with the Cameroonese federation trying to force his decision, it was believed that Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik would reply favourably to the call of Cameroon to join a national selection in which his team-mate Georges Mandjeck already plays. Nothing is done at this moment according to the Rennes centre back however, who admits he remains torn about his international future: “I still need time to think about it. Sometimes I feel like I’ve made my choice, some other times I’m not 100% sure” he explained to newspaper L’Équipe.

Indeed, in recent weeks, the French Federation is also bustling behind the scene, in order to try and convince Kana-Biyik, who admits that “his representatives talked on the phone to members of the French national team’s staff”. Still in a phase of reflexion, he gives himself at least until June in order to take a final decision. Until then, he assures that his choice “could surprise many”. In October, the Rennes centre back declined a selection with the French U21 national team, causing the anger of France U21 national coach Érick Mombaerts.

Arrived discretely from Le Havre (Ligue 2) last summer, Kana-Biyik profited of Rod Fanni’s injury during the game against Arles-Avignon (0-1) on the fourth game week in order to set himself up in the first team. Since then, he has started thirteen consecutive games in Ligue 1, and forms the best centre back partnership in the League with Kader Mangane.