CHERRIES star Benik Afobe’s bid to make his international debut for DR Congo was apparently scuppered after the FA had sent his paperwork to the wrong country.

Striker Afobe finally made a decision to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo – the country of his parents’ birth – despite winning caps for England at several levels.

And he had been expected to make his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Guinea last week before it was discovered his registration details had been sent to the Republic of the Congo, which neighbours DR Congo but is a different country.

Afobe told MailOnline: “Basically, the FA sent my paperwork to the wrong Congo.

“Transferring it took about 10 days and once FIFA had cleared their workload with all the internationals on around the world, it was the day after the World Cup qualifier against Guinea.”

Afobe was involved in another mix-up earlier this year when he confirmed he had yet to apply for clearance to represent DR Congo.

An article on BBC online – published on March 20 – said he had been “included in a 27-man final squad” for DR Congo’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and stated he had “yet to receive official clearance from FIFA to play for the country of his parents”.

However, Afobe, who holds dual nationality with England, later confirmed this had not been the case and that he had an “informed decision” to make on which country he wished to commit to.

Despite this latest episode, Afobe is hoping to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations in January and said his trip had not been a wasted one.

“In order for me to get used to the squad and the conditions, it was worth making the trip and the team won 2-1,” he added, in an interview with MailOnline.

“I was disappointed not to play at the time, but the main thing is returning to the club injury-free.

“Club always comes before country and, right now, I want to be available for Bournemouth as much as possible.”