Audio By Carbonatix
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
-
iLotBet launches exciting iPhone 17 giveaway for World Cup season
3 hours -
Man found dead after alleged attempted attack on church in Sefwi Asafo
3 hours -
SIC Insurance launches electric vehicles to advance green transition agenda
4 hours -
Kpandai Assembly supplies maize to boarding schools ahead of lean season
4 hours -
Ghanaian mining engineer Dr Linda Abangbila earns PhD in China after five-year AI research journey
4 hours -
GES bans cars, money bouquets on school premises as Education Ministry halts SHS graduations nationwide
4 hours -
Broadway star Iris Beaumier eyes collaboration with Ghana’s arts and culture sector
4 hours -
“God Bless You”: The Currency of Gratitude Among Ghana’s Poor
6 hours -
Heal Komfo Anokye Project to respond to governance and accountability claims
6 hours -
Calls grow for NHIS to cover prescription glasses after over 500 miss free eye care in Bono Region
8 hours -
Nkwanta South: Death toll from Odomi attack now 4 as curfew takes effect
8 hours -
Impakers Creative Hub earns Trade Minister’s praise at Ghana–Italy Circular Economy Dialogue
8 hours -
Coderina EdTech donates STEM materials to support ICT, coding education in Ghana
8 hours -
Iran recloses Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon
8 hours -
Hackman Owusu-Agyeman backs St Augustine’s teachers’ housing project by APSU 2002 to mark 97th anniversry
8 hours