DRC striker Lua Lua quits

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) striker Lomana Lua Lua has quit international football after their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The outspoken Lua Lua said he was not happy with how things were run in the national team and said it was time to concentrate on his Turkish club.

He said he would not have come to the tournament had he known things would turn out the way they did.

DRC were embroiled in internal squabbles regarding players’ payments, which led their coach Claude Le Roy to temporarily abandon the team two days before their opening match against Ghana.

But the temperamental Le Roy was convinced to return to the team.

Now the 32-year-old Lua Lua said he has had it with the team.

“It’s time to think about my future and just focus on my club career. Maybe I will come back in the future to help the youngsters to settle in the team and clear their heads. It is not good to have all this mismanagement with no one checking the bookings and making sure everything is in order before the team arrives,” said Lua Lua.

“Players should not be involved in this kind of issues before games as they need to concentrate on the match.”

Apparently the Congolese national squad was not happy with their hotel arrangement when they arrived in the country and Lua Lua said these were some of the things that should be done better.

The Karabukspor striker said the country had many players who could represent it, but they were put off by the team’s disorganisation.

“There are players who need to be convinced to come and play for the country, but until we get our house in order we are not going to attract the best talent. I love my country and this team, and will always be there to help.”

Lua Lua said it was a shame that his team was knocked out of the tournament even though they did not lose any matches.

DRC drew all their group matches, but finished third behind Ghana and Mali.