Stars are born in every tournament and the 2023 AFCON is not an exception. Teams across the planet have sent many scouts to the Ivory Coast to monitor talented youngsters whom they can build their future around.
Per DW Africa, Spanish giants FC Barcelona are monitoring 6 talented youngsters in the AFCON.
“Barça is keeping an eye on these six young players in particular. Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast), Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal), Ernest Nuamah (Ghana), and Yankuba Minteh (Gambia)”, revealed DW Africa.
Ghana’s Ernest Nuamah, 20, who joined Olympique Lyon in France from Nordsjaelland in Denmark is a lovely left-footed forward who can take on defence, he is pacey and difficult to defend against.
Yankuba Minteh (19) of Gambia is another left-footed forward who is on loan from Newcastle to Feyenoord Rotterdam. The Gambian forward is dangerous on the right side of attack and he showed it in the tournament.
20-year-old Ivorian Center back Ousman Diomamde is a great centre-back who has a bright future. The Sporting Lisbon defender started both Ivory Coast’s first two games of the 2023 AFCON. His defending belies his age.
Pape Matar Sarr is already a starter for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. The 21-year-old is a modern-day midfielder who has everything a midfielder needs to be world-class. He has pace, he knows how to pass, has composure, is a bit aggressive and scores goals as well.
Burkina Faso forward Dango Ouattara played 90 minutes for Burkina Faso in their 2-0 defeat to Angola. The 21-year-old has been playing regularly for Bournemouth in England. He is one for the future so it’s not a surprise at all to see him being monitored by Barcelona.
Nigerian midfielder, Raphael Onyedika has played just 28 minutes in the AFCON. He was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s first two games but made an appearance in the 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau. The Club Brugge midfielder is making a name for himself in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. and he is tipped to succeed Ndidi in Nigeria’s midfield.
Africa has many talents across the globe so it’s no surprise that Barcelona has been scouting many.
