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Sports Features of Tuesday, 25 May 2010

Source: guardian

Boateng vs Boateng: Opposing Brothers

"Kevin-Prince Boateng has opted to play for his father's country of Ghana, while his brother Jérôme, has opted to play for his own country of birth, Germany," writes Lee Richardson.

"With both teams drawn together in the same group this World Cup, and both players looking likely to be selected for their relevant squads, there is a good possibility of two brothers playing against each other in an international. Has this ever happened before?"

As several readers have pointed out, the only previous occasion on record of two brothers facing each other in an international (and not even a full international at that) was in February 2008 when Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda lined up in goal for France A against a Democratic Republic of the Congo side that had his brother Parfair in goal. Steve seems to have been substituted at half-time, while Parfait came on for the second half.

"Interestingly Steve was actually born in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, while Parfait was born in Nevers, France," notes Phil Walsh.