Football - Oscar Maritu: "I dream of playing in the World Cup with China"
Oscar Maritu has taken Chinese nationality. The former DR Congo international dreams of playing in the World Cup with China.
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Sports News Africa: Oscar Maritu, you are now a Chinese citizen. What does it feel like to change nationality?
Oscar Maritu: It's a choice I made, and I have received all the documents. To be honest, I don't feel much difference.
Why did you choose to turn your back on DR Congo for China?
On social media people say all sorts of things. Some even say it's to put pressure on the DR Congo national team, which is completely untrue. I started my professional career here in China, where I have lived since 2017. I have got used to the life and the culture here. And if I have spent 8 years here, it means I am doing my job well. And if I managed to get this nationality easily, it's because the Chinese people value me for my work.
What is the real motivation, and why only China and not another country?
We all have dreams, and as a player the biggest dream is to play in the World Cup. I have never played in that competition, and when DR Congo played in it in 1974 I wasn't even born yet. And if I find an opportunity to play in the World Cup elsewhere, I can't think twice about it. I would like to play in the World Cup with China. And today the team is in a good position in the Asian qualifying zone. China is like home to me. Over the last 8 years I have spent far more time in China than in any other country, which is why my choice could only fall on China.
"I have a good chance of being called up"
Have you already been in contact with the China national team coach? If so, has he reassured you that you will play as early as this March in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
For the next get-together, I have a good chance of being called up. I have been in contact with the coach for a long time, and it's the Federation that helped me change nationality, so it's so that I can play.
Did you change nationality because you thought you would never get the chance to play for DR Congo?
If I said that, I'd be insulting myself. I am in contact with coach Desabre. A few months ago he contacted my club so that I could take part in a camp with the Leopards. Unfortunately, the camp was cancelled. He contacted me again for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but I was in the process of terminating my contract with my former club and I didn't go. So that is not the reason why I changed nationality.
Today, do you regret not having played for DR Congo?
I can say that it's a little true. Every patriot dreams of wearing his country's shirt, and it would have been an honour for my friends and family. But the world has already moved on, and I have no regrets. If my dream of playing in the World Cup comes true with China, that will matter most. I would like to make history here in China and give myself a personal source of pride by playing in the World Cup.