Former Hibs keeper Ma-Kalambay wants to do the Congo

FREED Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay could switch allegiances to play for the Democratic Republic of Congo to honour his late father.

The Belgium-born 24-year-old accepted an invitation to make his full international debut for the Congo, his parents' homeland, in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Saudi Arabia last month and is now contemplating his international future.

The former Chelsea player was born in Brussels but, despite playing for Belgium at the 2008 Olympics, was inspired to play for the Congo following father Pierre-Yves' sudden death in April.

And the shot-stopper is now considering whether to swap the Red Devils of Belgium for the Leopards of the Congo. He said: "I've never been in Congo all of my life but they had been asking me for a long time.

"Now, I accepted the invitation to honour my father and his country of birth.

"I want to honour his beautiful name Ma-Kalambay. That's why I played for Congo. But now I have to make up my mind in September. Will I play for Congo or will I play for Belgium?

"Maybe they will make life easy for me. If I only receive one invitation for the new campaign, I won't have to choose."