Twin brothers Florentin and Mathias Pogba are dreaming of helping Guinea reach their first World Cup finals ever in 2018, with the prospect of meeting France, for whom younger brother Paul Pogba plays, serving as an inspiration.
Saint-Etienne centre-half Florentin is captain of the Syli Nationale, who open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a double-header against Namibia from next weekend, while Mathias is a forward with both Scottish top-flight club Partick Thistle and Guinea.
"We talk about that (playing against Paul) sometimes - it's our dream, but we know that it's not something that's likely to happen any time soon. It's something we keep in the backs of our minds. In the meantime, we're all focused on our own career development. If we did all play in the same match one day, at the World Cup, for example, then that would make us happier than we've ever been."
Florentin believes the Syli Nationale have a quality squad and is sure they can make it to Russia if they do not repeat the mistakes of their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"Honestly, I thought we were going to do it. Looking back, we know that we\'ve only got ourselves to blame, making mistakes in key matches that we needed to win. But we've learned from our errors. If we can manage to make the best possible use of our assets, I believe that we can qualify for Russia 2018."
The Pogba family emigrated to France when the brothers were young, but while Paul opted to play for the European nation, Florentin said he always wanted to play for the country of his origin.
"Ever since I was a boy, I dreamed of playing for Guinea," the 2015 Nations Cup star told Fifa.com
"And then, when I got my chance, I didn't get on with the coach very well. Between 2009 and 2011, I'd be called up to squads but would remain in the stands every time.
During that time, I had the opportunity to play for the French U-20 team in the Toulon Tournament. As things weren't going well with Guinea, I thought I would get some more playing time with France."
Born to a man who played amateur football and a mother who also played the game, the 25-year-old revealed that their father had a lot to do with why all three of them ended up as professional footballers.
"Our father played football as well," he said.
"He's the one who encouraged us to get involved in sport. He would take all three of us to the park to work on free-kicks, penalties, passes and more. He made us love the game, and although he never played professionally, he passed on his dream. Our mother played too. The fact that all three of us became professionals is a great source of pride for them, and for us."
-
Latest Stories
-
Access Bank Ghana Plc records commendable financial growth in quarter one, 2024
2 hours -
GFA DC charges Bashir Hayford over alleged misconduct in Bechem Utd game
2 hours -
MTN FA Cup: Dreams FC beat Soccer Intellectuals to make semis
3 hours -
Ayorkor Botchwey champions transformative investment, trade agenda
3 hours -
KNUST, University of Rwanda share experiences in implementation of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
4 hours -
Top 10 most visited tourist sites in Ghana 2023
4 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah case: I will reopen investigation into alleged acts of corruption – Mahama
4 hours -
GRA boss charges customs officers to be professional ahead of 2024 general elections
4 hours -
NPP thanks stakeholders for successful Ejisu by-election
4 hours -
Bawumia promises to involve chiefs in licensing miners if elected President
4 hours -
Koda should have visited the pastor to avert the prophecy – Ajagurajah
5 hours -
Emotional support alligator taken and released in swamp
5 hours -
A mate is a mate, Bawumia can’t be in the driver’s seat – NDC Communicator
5 hours -
Over 400 million Google accounts have used passkeys, but our passwordless future remains elusive
5 hours -
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park surpasses Aburi Gardens as most visited site in 2023 – GTA
5 hours