Australia and DR Congo Call Up Players from CD Castellón

CD Castellón is facing disruptions ahead of crucial matches as two of its players, Awer Mabil and Brian Cipenga, have received international call-ups. Mabil has been selected for the Australian national team, while Cipenga will join the DR Congo squad, potentially causing both players to miss three upcoming games for Castellón.

International Duty and Impact on CD Castellón

The timing of these call-ups is particularly challenging as Spain’s Second Division continues during the FIFA international break. According to Awer Mabil’s Wikipedia page, Mabil has 35 caps with the Australian national team and played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This is his first call-up in a year and a half.

Cipenga is expected to report to DR Congo on March 24, coinciding with the play-off final on March 31 against the winner of Recent Caledonia-Jamaica, held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mabil’s schedule involves matches for Australia against Cameroon on March 27 and Curacao on March 31.

Strategic Implications for Castellón

Pablo Hernández, the coach of CD Castellón, will be without key players in critical matches. Cipenga has been Hernández’s primary choice on the wing, with Mabil stepping in during Cipenga’s absences. The team will likely be without both players for the match against Albacete on March 28 and the home game against Almería on April 2. LaLiga’s scheduling of the Castellón–Cultural match on Monday at 8:30 p.m. Further complicates the situation, potentially ruling them out for that game as well.

In previous instances when Cipenga was unavailable, Mabil has been the starting winger, supported by players like Mamah, Suero, and Pablo Santiago. Castellón will need to rely on these players to fill the void during the international break.

Player Backgrounds

Awer Mabil, born September 15, 1995, is a South Sudanese refugee born in Kenya who now represents Australia internationally. He currently plays as a winger for CD Castellón. His Wikipedia page details a career spanning multiple clubs, including Adelaide United and Midtjylland.

Brian Cipenga’s details are less readily available in the provided sources, but he is a key player for CD Castellón and a regular starter under coach Hernández.