The dream is slowly fading. Fans of the Indomitable Lions will not see Youssoufa Moukoko at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Barring a "miracle", the Borussia Dortmund prodigy will not join the Cameroon team before the tournament kicks off on 9 January. The long-awaited hearing between the 17-year-old striker and his country's authorities has not yet taken place.
"The Minister of Sports has not met Youssoufa Moukoko. I think it's impossible that this hearing could take place before the AFCON. The minister is in fact travelling. He is on an inspection tour of the infrastructure of the various cities that will host the tournament," said an employee of the communication department of the Cameroonian Ministry of Sports. On the side of the Federation, no official meeting has also taken place between the president Samuel Eto'o and the player.
"The AFCON 2021? It is impossible! We must be realistic: the Lions are already in training. Even if he wanted to, Moukoko can not integrate the selection for at least two months. There are a lot of administrative things to sort out. And that takes a lot of time," said a member of the national team. "The coach already has his list of 28 players. It has not yet been transferred to CAF. But if there are any changes to be made, it will be among the pre-selected players. Moukoko is not on it," he continued.
The 2021 African Cup of Nations seems to be slipping away for Moukoko. And even if his entourage refuses to comment, Cameroon does not intend to let go of the file. Sources at Fécafoot reveal that Samuel Eto'o has made it a personal challenge. The objective is to "armour" this nugget before Germany takes it away permanently. The Yaounde native is in fact defending the colours of the youth teams of the Mannschaft. And the two countries are ready to do anything to keep him. It makes sense. At just 17 years of age, Youssoufa Moukoko has already put the world of football at his feet.
He is spoken of as a pure diamond, cut without any flaw. A real attraction in the European championships, the Cameroonian nugget has conquered Germany and is attracting interest in Spain. His talent leaves no one indifferent. "He is the next best player, for me, after Messi," declared Samuel Eto'o a year ago.
Moukoko left Cameroon at the age of 14 and is breaking records for precociousness. He is the youngest player in the history of the Champions League (16). He is also the youngest goalscorer and youngest player in the Bundesliga (16). Since 2018, he has scored 107 goals in all competitions. A feat for this striker, who has already entered the annals of German football with a bang. Called up to the U17s at the age of 12, he became an U19 international at 14 and was upgraded to the U20s at 15.
