Lionnel Mpasi Nzau (born 1 August 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Rodez AF. Born in France, he plays for the DR Congo national team.

Early life

Mpasi was born in Meaux, in the eastern suburbs of Paris, to Congolese parents.[1][2] He acquired French nationality on 31 August 2000, through the collective effect of his father's naturalization.[3]

Club career

A youth product of PSG, Mpasi signed his first professional contract with Toulouse before moving to Rodez in 2016.[4] Mpasi made his professional debut with Rodez in a 0–0 Ligue 2 tie with Le Mans FC on 14 February 2020.[5]

International career

Mpasi is a former youth international for France.[6] However, he decided to represent the home country of his parents, DR Congo. Being selected without appearing on the pitch, he finally debuted for the DR Congo national team in a 1–0 friendly loss to Bahrain on 1 February 2022.[7]

On 27 December 2023, he was selected from the list of 24 Congolese players selected by Sébastien Desabre to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. As a full goalkeeper, he contested the three first-round matches, all ended in a tie against Zambia 1-1 and Morocco 1-1 and Tanzania 0-0, respectively. In the eighth final, against the Egypt team, he scored the last shot at the goal, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.[8]

References

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