Title: Charles Pickel: the choice to represent the DRC, a commitment from the heart
Introduction :
The list of players called up for the CAN 2023 qualifying matches was unveiled by Sébastien Desabre, the coach of the Congolese national team, the Leopards. Among the names that appear in this list, that of Charles Pickel has attracted attention. This defensive midfielder, of Congolese and Swiss origin, made a difficult but passionate choice by deciding to represent the colors of the DRC. Let’s find out who Charles Pickel is and the reasons that motivated him to make this choice.
Who is Charles Pickel?
Charles Pickel, born in Solothurn, Switzerland, is a talented defensive midfielder currently playing for Italian club Cremonese in Serie B. Coming from a Congolese family, he spent several years at the FC Basel training center before making his debut in the first team. Despite his time at other Swiss clubs such as Grasshopper Club Zurich, Schaffhausen and Xamax, it is in Italy that he has established himself in 2022. His remarkable performances have attracted the attention of the Swiss and Congolese selections.
A carefully considered choice:
Charles Pickel faced a dilemma when called upon by both national teams. Having already represented Switzerland at youth team level, he had to choose between his country of birth and his Congolese origins. After careful consideration, the player let his heart speak and expressed his desire to join the Congolese national team. He said that although he grew up in Switzerland and was trained there, he felt he could achieve great things with the Congolese national team and would be honored to be part of it.
The challenges ahead:
The integration of Charles Pickel into the Leopards team will not be easy. The midfield already has many experienced players such as Moutousamy, Edo Kayembe, Aaron Tshibola and Gaël Kakuta. However, with his versatility and quality of play, Charles Pickel is determined to make his place in the team and contribute to the success of the DRC on the field.
Conclusion :
Charles Pickel represents a promising addition to the Congolese national team. His choice to join the Leopards is a testimony to his attachment to his Congolese origins and his desire to contribute to the success of the DRC on the international scene. We will follow his journey with interest and hope to see him shine in the next CAN 2023 qualifying matches