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There's only a week to go before youth football’s biggest extravaganza begins in India. India is all set to host this year’s U-17 World Cup with some of the teams having already arrived.
All the squads for the U-17 World Cup have been already named and there is no doubt that many players playing in this tournament will be seen at Qatar in 2022 or who knows, they might even make Russia for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
All the players competing at the tournament are teenagers but some teams also contain players who are in their early teens. So let’s take a look at the youngest players at this year’s U-17 World Cup.
Note: The age is correct up to 6th October, the date of commencement of the tournament
#5. Djibril Fandje Toure, Guinea- 14 years, 339 days
A little more than a month shy of his 15th birthday, Guinea’s Fandje Toure made quite a name for himself during the African U-17 Cup of Nations a few months back. Guinea ended the tournament in third place with the 14-year old striker scoring 6 goals throughout the competition that included a hat-trick in the opening match of the tournament against hosts Gabon which ended in a 5-1 win for Guinea.
Playing for Cemofig, a club based in Guinea’s capital Conakry, Toure’s speed, dribbling, and finishing ability makes him a very lethal player and he will definitely be Guinea’s ace to hold during the tournament. In a group consisting of Germany and Costa Rica, Guinea will be needing Toure to be at the top of his game if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
#4. Djibril Sylla, Guinea- 14 years, 330 days
Aged 14, Djibril Sylla plays for Guinean Club Academie Antonio Souare as a forward. Sylla played at this year’s African U-17 Cup of Nations and came on as a 61st-minute substitute in Guinea’s first two group games before starting in Guinea’s final group game against Ghana.
He came on as a late substitute during Guinea’s semi-final against Mali which they went on to lose 2-0 on penalties. He did not feature during their third-place win against Niger.
Sylla may not be a regular for Guinea currently but given the fact that he is occasionally deployed both as a starter and a substitute, Guinea will surely use him during the tournament.
#3. Danlad Ibrahim, Ghana- 14 years, 308 days
Ghana conceded the least number of goals in the African U-17 Cup of Nations thanks to the brilliance of their goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim. Plying his trade at native club Asante Kotoko, Ibrahim was brilliant for Ghana between the sticks and made some crucial saves during the tournament.
The only goal he conceded during the tournament was Mamadou Samake’s 22nd-minute winner in the final.
Two-time U-17 World Cup champion Ghana have been drawn in a very favourable group alongside hosts India, Colombia, and USA and have a very good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. However, if they are to have a chance of winning their 3rd title, Danlad Ibrahim will have to be at his very best during the tournament.
#2. Ibrahima Sylla, Guinea- 14 years, 303 days
Guinea were one of the best defences of the 2017 African U-17 Cup of nations as they conceded only three goals during the course of the tournament. One major reason behind this was their goalkeeper Ibrahima Sylla who kept two clean sheets throughout the tournament with only Ghana’s goalie Danlad Ibrahim overtaking him.
Aged only 14, Ibrahima Sylla currently plays for local club FC Mendy and is the second youngest player who will be participating in this year’s U-17 World Cup and his presence between the sticks will be something which Guinea will be heavily relying on if they are to make the round of 16.
#1. Issiaga Camara, Guinea- 14 years, 280 days
At 14 years and 280 days, Guinea’s Issiaga Camara will be the youngest player participating in the tournament. Camara was a regular for Guinea during the African U-17 Cup of Nations and played every single minute of the tournament as Guinea ended third.
Camara currently plays for local club Academie Hafia FC as a defender and probably one of the finest budding defenders in Africa today. Guinea will depend a lot on him to contain the opposition strikers and keep the opposition scoreboard at zero.
Camara’s presence at the back will be something Guinea will be hoping to cash in on when they play in the tournament.
