How Manchester City star Kevin De Bryune could have participated in AFCON

This remarkable midfielder, a talisman for Belgium, had an alternate footballing destiny that could have seen him dazzling in the colours of an African nation.

Born in Drongen, Belgium, De Bruyne's journey has been nothing short of spectacular. His Belgian roots are well-established with close to a century of appearances for the national team. 

He's been a pivotal figure in their recent successes, including a stellar performance in the 2018 World Cup that saw Belgium clinch third place. In 2023, he donned the captain's armband, stepping into the role following the departure of Eden Hazard.

But beneath the surface of this Belgian success story lies a connection to Burundi, a small East African nation. 

According to reports from Daily Mail, De Bruyne's mother, Anna, was born in Burundi, opening a door for Kevin that many fans might not know existed. 

This connection to Burundi ranked 139th in the world, introduces an intriguing twist to De Bruyne's career narrative.

The story of Burundi's football, especially their maiden voyage into the AFCON in 2019, adds a layer of intrigue to De Bruyne's tale. 

The team's struggle in the tournament, where they failed to secure a win, contrasts sharply with Belgium's ascendancy on the world stage. 

It's fascinating to imagine what might have been had De Bruyne chosen to align his footballing journey with his maternal heritage.