Benik Afobe pulls out of AFCON 2017 to focus on Bournemouth

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Benik Afobe pulls out of AFCON 2017 to focus on Bournemouth

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Bournemouth striker, Benik Afobe, has turned down the chance to represent DR Congo at this month’s African Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon.
Benik

Benik

The former England U-21 player, switched allegiance to the African nation in March last year, but is yet to make his senior international debut.
“For the last couple of months I have been talking to my family and thinking about what is best for my development,” Afobe told Bournemouth’s official website.“I have a lot of respect for everyone at DR Congo: the staff there, the players and fans.“It’s a massive tournament for everyone, but thinking about my development and being at this stage in my career where I’m trying to establish myself in my first full Premier League season, I just want to keep improving.“I have a great opportunity here now and I think by going away and missing six or seven weeks it could hamper my season personally and for the team.”Afobe was unable to make his DR Congo debut in November 2016, after the Football Association sent his registration to the wrong country, neighbouring Congo.=
The wait for him to make his debut continues.“I spoke to the manager Florent Ibenge over the phone and that’s something I wanted to do myself to show respect,” Afobe added.“We spoke and he said that he understood.“He said he was a player himself and that he understands the situation I am in, he hopes that I can keep improving and getting more minutes with Bournemouth.“Everything’s been left in a good way and I’ll be watching every game the team play in the tournament and hoping they do as well as possible.“As a forward you always want to be scoring goals. Goals are what strikers live for. The main things for me is that I keep improving, getting chances and working on my composure.“I’ve still got a long way to go, I’m only 23, but I feel I’m going in the right direction and I want that to continue.“It was a honour for me to be considered in the provisional squad and I look forward to representing DR Congo in the future.”DR Congo media officer, Gerard-Desire Angengwa, added: “Afobe has forfeited from the tournament.”

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