Africans have continued to make big waves in German football in the 2020/21 season. Earlier in the season, Jamal Musiala, a 17-year old Anglo-Nigerian striker became Bayern Munich’s youngest goalscorer in history.
On Saturday, another stellar teenage African was introduced to senior football in the German Bundesliga.
Youssoufa Moukoko, 16, became the youngest player in the history of the German top flight when he was given a 5-minute run in Borussia Dortmund’s 5-2 thrashing of Hertha Berlin.
Moukoko, who was born in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé moved to Germany in 2014 to join his father who moved to Europe in the 1990s. In all the age-grade teams he has played for in Germany, the well rated attacker has broken and created scoring records.
Borussia Dortmund snapped him up from St. Pauli in 2016 and he has impressed the Black and Yellow fans greatly, with many tipping him for greatness.
Compatriot and Cameroon legend, Samuel Etoo has recommended Moukoko to Barcelona, while Dortmund is jealously protecting their prized asset from preying eyes.
Moukoko has been subject of great hype in the German football circle with Borussia Dortmund and German football handlers moving to reduce his exposure to the press.
“After Youssoufa’s first international games at the under-16 level, in 2017, the hype was at times so huge, that, together with Dortmund, we decided to let him make his next steps solely with his club,” Meikel Schonweitz, the head coach of Germany’s youth teams, said.
The German FA avoided selecting Moukoko for matches again as a result of the huge praise coming his way, before he made his U-20 debut this year, aged just 16.
“The hype doesn’t do anyone any favours,” said Stefan Kuntz, coach of Germany’s Under-21s. “The first low is always the toughest.”
His coaches have hailed him as a wonderfully-gifted player with a natural affinity for goal-scoring. Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Lucien Favre has also hailed his skill and technique to high heavens.
“As of yet, the sun always shines for Youssoufa. He hasn’t had any rainy days, but these rainy days will come,” Nuri Sahin who used to hold the record as youngest debutant for Dortmund said about the striker.
Despite his very young years, Moukoko has a running €10m advertising contract with Nike.
The world of football will see more of Moukoko now he has finally made his debut, and it can be both ways from here.
While he has represented German age-grade teams, making his U-16 debut at 12, his international future is yet to be a subject of debate, with Cameroon making a strong claim to honing and owning the youngster.