Free State Stars goalkeeping Christoffer Mafoumbi has expressed his excitement about being recalled to the Congo national team after his long-term injury layoff.

The 23-year-old has been recalled to the Congo national team for their upcoming match against on Mauritania on March 27, 2017.

Mafoumbi recently returned to the squad, after spending six months on the sideline with an achilles tendon injury. He has made only four appearances for EA Lla Koto so far this season.

The Congolese shot-stopper says that he is excited to be back in Diables Roughes’ side, and has been working hard on the training ground since returning from long-term injury.

‘I am excited to be back with the national team after a long layoff due to injury. I have been working hard at training since recovering from injury,’ Mafoumbi told the Free State Stars website.

‘However, there is still a room for improvement from my side, and I am working hard to be at my level best.’

With stiff competition from Thela Ngobeni for a starting berth in manager Serame Letsoaka’s squad, the former Lens man revealed that he’s become close with the former Kaizer Chiefs youth product.

The former Lens goalkeeper says he has a good relationship with Stars’ experienced shot-stopper Thela Ngobeni, while also admitting to how tough the Absa Premiership has become for any team to collect points.

‘It is good to be back between the sticks, and I have a good working relationship with Thela Ngobeni,’ he added.

‘Ngobeni is an experienced goalkeeper and he has been around, he knows the league inside out.

‘I must say that I’ve found the PSL is very competitive, there are no easy pushovers teams, you work hard for your points.’

Free State Stars will next take on Highlands Park in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 on Saturday.

The match at Goble Park kicks off at 20:15.

Image: Free State Stars website