Anglo-Congolese defender Stephen Mfuni, on loan from Manchester City to Coventry City, is being closely tracked by FECOFA, according to the Congolese press. Aged 18, he already has 17 caps for England U19s.
Stephen Mfuni, an 18-year-old centre-back or left-back on loan from Manchester City to Coventry City, is reportedly on the radar of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFA), according to FootRDC. For now it is an unofficial lead: no contact has been announced.
Born in February 2008 in Wigan to two parents from DR Congo, Mfuni signed his first professional contract with Manchester City in August 2025, according to Congoquotidien. He already has 17 caps for England U19s.
A first goal and a Premier League debut
Mfuni has caught the eye on English pitches. On 19 September, he started in the Premier League in Coventry City’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, described as historic by Boomsportsrdc. In the 86th minute of the 4-1 rout of Newcastle United, he scored his first professional goal, according to Sky Sports.
His progress at Manchester City has been just as precocious. In summer 2024, Pep Guardiola, the Citizens’ general manager, took him on the pre-season tour of the United States at the age of 16, giving him his debut in a friendly against Chelsea, The Sun reports via FootRDC. In January 2026, he played his first competitive match for the Skyblues, a 10-0 win in the Carabao Cup, according to Congoquotidien.
An English fast-tracking programme
The English Football Association has placed him in a special fast-tracking programme, alongside Jude Bellingham and Ethan Nwaneri, according to The Sun. A centre-back or left-back, Mfuni can therefore play in two different defensive positions.
According to whispers close to the player and to journalist Danilo Itutu, the Mfuni family would look very favourably on representing the DR Congo Leopards. This information, relayed by Congoquotidien, remains unconfirmed at this stage.
A scouting unit on the lookout
FECOFA’s scouting unit is stepping up its efforts to convince the player to join the Leopards before the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers, Kongoklub reports. A decision from the staff is expected on a possible official approach during the November 2026 camp. Nothing suggests, however, that a meeting has been arranged.
In the meantime, Mfuni continues his season with Coventry City, on loan from Manchester City, who play a new Premier League match this weekend. His international future remains open: he has already worn the England shirt at U19 level, and his parents are from DR Congo.