Africa has always produced fantastic players who have gone on to make a mark in world football, showcasing their talent and making names for themselves. The likes of Rabar Madjer, Japhet N’doram, Abedi Pele, George Weah and Stephen Keshi have done great things in years past thereby drawing attention to the hoard of talent on the continent.
One can only imagine what Chelsea’s history would be without Didier Drogba, or maybe Leicester City wouldn't have lifted the English Premiership last season without the talent of Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez.
Fact to the matter is there is hardly a team that does not now feature a son with African roots, past or present, that can be considered a true powerhouse today. Just look at the top ten, and before you quickly raise your hand and ask “ well what about Argentina”, we will quickly remind you of Héctor Baley, their reserve GK at both the 1978 and 1982 World Cups had African roots and was capped 13 times.
STANDING ON THEIR SHOULDERS
Eusebio, who has Mozambican heritage, is regarded as Portugal’s greatest ever footballer after Cristiano Ronaldo because of his exploits in the 60’s.
Who can ever forget the French World Cup winning side of ‘98? It was dubbed a mini African side because of the talents within the squad that spread across several African countries. Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Marcel Desailly, Bernard Diomede’ and Lilian Thuram were part of the side that beat Brazil to win the World Cup with Zidane the star of the show.
Other African players, who elected to play for other countries have also flourished at different levels and further put light on the continent.
The tradition continues.
OUR GREATER TOMORROW
Supersport.com takes a look at the top ten players of African descent under the age of 21 who are gradually carving a niche for themselves and raising eyebrows with their restaurant quality football skills. Despite their age, there is no doubt, th'at when we talk about the future of football when it comes to international interplay on the continent, that we will be mentioning most of their names over and over. We say this because thankfully, as we will soon read, most are bucking the trend of history where the mantra always seemed to be ‘get out of Africa’, and are choosing despite playing for clubs in Europe to play for the national teams with their African connection.
While of course there remain instances where Africa is passed over, our inventory will show you that finally the talent drain is been partially stymied and players are either staying or returning ‘home’. It is here with their ‘countries teams’ that most the young have picked to grow.
Farouk Miya
Age: 18
Nationality: Ugandan
Club: Standard Liege Belgium
Farouk Miya is the latest and unarguably the most talented player to come out of Uganda in the last five years. The teenager has already written himself into Ugandan football folklore by scoring the goal that qualified the Cranes for their first ever Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 32 years.
Strong on the ball and with a keen eye on the ball, the teenager is already on the books of Belgian Jupiler Liga side Standard Liege. Expect Miya to lead the line for Uganda when the AFCON kicks off in January as the Cranes look to establish themselves once again as a football giant in Africa.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Age: 19
Nationality: Nigerian
Club: Manchester City
A little over three years ago, Iheanacho was playing grass-roots football in Nigeria and had no experience of league football. All that changed after Nigeria won the Fifa U17 World Cup with the youngster emerging as the tournament’s top scorer and most valuable player.
He carried that transition to Manchester City and despite initial fears, Iheanacho as progressed rapidly at City with some scintillating displays and goals to boot. The 19-year-old has also had a break-out year with the Super Eagles netting four goals in seven international games to further cement his growing reputation as one of the best teenage footballers not only in Africa but the world.
A lot is expected from Iheanacho as Nigeria pushes for a slot at the Fifa 2018 World Cup in Russia
Moise Kean
Age: 16
Nationality: Ivorian / Italian
Club: Juventus
The Turin club has been carefully nurturing the youngster well away from the prying eyes of other football clubs. Kean is a prodigious talent who has been referred to as the ‘New Balotelli’ even though Juve will hope his career surpasses that of the man who owns the moniker.
Kean, who has Ivorian heritage smashed in goals for the Juve youth and Primavera sides breaking records along the way. Big, strong and athletic, he has been capped already by Italy at youth level and has made his Serie A debut for Juventus.
He became the first player born int he 2000’s to play in the Uefa Champions League when he made his debut for the Old Lady in a Champions League game against Lyon. Kean has not yet agreed professional terms with Juventus which has alerted the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona and Chelsea.
The prodigious 16-year-old has pledged allegiance to the Azzurri but you never know, what might happen in the future, he might just turn out for the Elephants.
Fabrice Ondoa
Age:19
Nationality: Cameroon
Club: Sevilla
Fabrice Ondoa is a product of the famous Barcelona academy, the La Masia where he was contemporaries with the likes of Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Samper. He was the first choice between the sticks for the youth team of the Barcelona who won the 2014 Uefa Youth League trophy which served notice of his potentials.
Not the tallest of goalkeepers but he makes that up with shot-stopping and positional abilities that belie his 20 years. Ondoa broke into the Cameroon senior side last year and already has an African Cup of Nations appearance under his belt. Now the undisputed number one goalkeeper for Cameroon, he will be heading to Gabon 2017 for his second Afcon appearance, an incredible achievement for a 20-year-old goalkeeper.
Adam Ounas
Age: 20
Nationality: Algerian
Club: Bordeaux
The attacking midfielder came through Bordeaux B side and made his first team debut last year and has cemented a place since then. Ounas is comfortable with the ball and has the ability to create chances for his team-mates to thrive on. He occasionally scores his own fair share of goals but his main forte is creating spaces for strikers to thrive on.
The 20 year is an exciting prospect for Bordeaux who has refused bids from some top European sides for his services. He is a very technical player who uses bags of tricks and pace to carve open opponents in Ligue 1.Capped by France at youth level, he recently switched to Algeria where his parents hail from even though his debut against Nigeria was delayed due to injury.
Alex Iwobi
Age: 20
Nationality: Nigerian /English
Club: Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal has unearthed another gem in the form of Alex Iwobi who has gone on to be an integral part of the Gunners 2016/17 campaigning after breaking into the first team last season.
A nephew to Nigeria great Jay-Jay Okocha who also played in England, the youngster has followed his famous uncle to wear the Nigerian colours despite playing for England at youth levels. A tireless runner of the ball, the 20-year-old also has the technical skills that have seen Arsenal Wenger keep faith with the youngster and handed him more responsibilities in the Arsenal squad.
He has also started Nigeria last two games int eh Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifiers and scored his first international goal against Zambia in a 2-1 away win in Zambia.A lot is expected of Iwobi as he continues to mature with the Super Eagles and Arsenal. Maybe, just maybe he might do as well as his uncle Okocha and led Nigeria to many laurels.
Keita Balde Diao
Age: 21
Nationality: Senegalese
Club: Lazio Italy
Born in Spain to Senegalese parents, Keita has come a long way from being sent home from a youth tournament by Barcelona because he pranked a team-mate by lacing his bed with ice-block. Now fully established at Serie A side Lazio, the skillful player can play as a striker, in midfield or on the wings. His versatility has made him one of the fans favorite at Lazio’s Stadio Olimpico.
The 21 year still needs to work on his discipline as he is always in the news for the wrong reasons giving many reasons to doubt if he can fulfill his talent. Keita made his Senegalese debut earlier this year and has already racked up two goals in only five games for the Teranga Lions who will rely heavily on the youngster as they push for a place in Russia 2018.
Hachim Mastour
Age: 18
Nationality: Moroccan
Club: PEC Zwolle
Mastour became the youngest ever Moroccan player to play for the national side when he made his debut last year for the Atlas Lions.
Born in Reggiana, Italy to Moroccan parents, he became an Internet sensation when clips of his game showed up online. AC Milan was quick to snap the then 14-year-old for 500,000 Euros. He never got to break into the first team despite his talent and after a loan spell at Spanish side Malaga, Mastour was farmed out to Dutch side Zwolle to continue his football education.
The attacking midfielder is a creative force in the middle of the pack with crisp dribbles and ability to find spaces in tight areas.Morocco will hope he comes good for the national side after switching allegiance from Italy whom he played for at U16 level.
Assane Gnoukouri
Age: 20
Nationality: Ivorian
Club: Inter Milan
The Ivory Coast has always produced great midfielders who have gone on to impress on the world stage. The likes of Serge Alain Maguy, Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and Serey Die’ of recent have all continued that tradition.
Inter Milan youngster Gnoukouri might just be the man to carry the ‘midfield’ touch for the new generation. Born in Abidjan, he grew up in France but later moved to Italy in his teens. The 20 year is an attacking midfielder who can also play in a defensive midfielder role. Full of strength and running, he broke into the Inter first team last season and is tipped for great things for the Italian side.
Gnoukouri has a single cap for the Elephants but expect to see him a lot more in the coming years as one of the players to take over from Ivory Coast’s ‘golden generation’.
Rivaldo Coetzee
Age:20
Nationality: South African
Club: Ajax Cape Town
The centre back is the second youngest player ever to appear for South Africa after making his debut aged 17 in 2014 against Congo. He has since grown in stature from that rangy kid making his debut to one of the first names of the Bafana Bafana team sheet.
Coetzee is a future South Africa captain as he has shown remarkable leadership qualities on and off the field. He has already played more than 70 games for his club Ajax Cape Town at a relatively young age. Strong in the tackle, the 20 year is also impressive aerially and is likely to be a constant feature for South Africa in the coming years.
It will be a surprise if Coetzee doesn't move to Ajax Cape Town’s parent club Ajax Amsterdam or another European side in future. He is that good.
Stay tuned as we work on a second piece tracking our next class of female super stars
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