Youngest ever African Cup of Nations players

Thinking back to what you were doing as a teenager will likely not conjure up memories of representing your country in senior international soccer, but that can not be said for some rather early bloomers who have turned out in national colours at the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) and its qualifiers.

Nations in the continent have never been shy of exposing their youth brigade to the big stage, and some of these players have gone on to become stars for their countries, while some have never lived up to their early promise.

South Africa too has fielded some youngsters in the past, with the likes of Quinton Fortune, Aaron Mokoena, Rivaldo Coetzee and Fagrie Lakay all making their international debut in their late teens.

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Elsewhere in the continent, there have been some players who have been thrust into action in their early teens, hence taking a look at the youngest ever players to play in the Afcon qualifiers.

David Djigla (Benin) – 16 years, nine months and 24 days

The striker first appeared in the Afcon qualifiers as a 16-year-old back in 2012 when Benin played to a one-all draw in 2012.

Clearly a talent, he was snapped up by French Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux three years later, but only made one league appearance before being shipped off to France’s lower leagues, where he currently plies his trade for Chamois Niort.

Limbikani Mzava (Malawi) – 16 years, nine months and 23 days

Some South Africans will be familiar with the Malawian defender who’s turned for three other PSL clubs before settling in Durban, where he currently plays for Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Now 24, Limbikani Mzava has made 32 appearances for his country and played as a 16-year-old in a 2-2 draw against Tunisia back in 2010.

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Ahmed Hassan Moussa (Djibouti) – 16 years, nine months

Three years ago, minnows Djibouti got thumped 8-1 by Tunisia. It wasn’t a pleasant introduction to international football for a 16-year-old Ahmed Moussa.

Patson Daka (Zambia) – 16 years, eight months, four days

Unlike the guy above him on the list, former RB Salzburg striker had a more subdued entry to international football a day later when Zambia was held to a goalless draw by Guinea-Bissau.

Farouk Miya (Uganda) – 16 years, seven months, 22 days

Uganda’s Farouk Miya first appeared in the qualifiers back in 2014 as a 16-year-old. His country eased past lowly Mauritania (who have thumped Bafana Bafana before) with a 2-0 win.

Fabrice Olinga (Cameroon) – 16 years, five months, two days

Fabrice Olinga played all of his youth football in Spain, and before he had made his senior debut for Malaga, Cameroon thrust him into the big time in 2012, as they faced off against Cape Verde in the Afcon qualifiers.

Hacen (Mauritania) – 16 years, three months, 12 days

Another player who has spent a great deal of time in Spain is Mauritania’s Hacen, who was also 16 when he turned out for his country against Mauritius in 2014.

Ovella Ochieng (Kenya) – 16 years, three months

Sweden-based Kenyan striker Ovella Ochieng made his debut in 2016 in the 1-0 defeat to Guinea Bissau.

Pa Sulayman Badjie (The Gambia) – 15 years, three months, 13 days

The youngest ever African Cup of Nations player is Gambian midfielder Pa Sulayman Badjie, who was obviously a bright young talent as he made his international debut at the tender age of 15 against Algeria in 2016.

However, that would be his only appearance for his country as he failed to make the grade since. He reappeared in Finland two years ago, as he was on trial with top-flight outfit Kuopion Palloseura.