Cameroon has just announced its squad for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON, also known as CAN). Among them, there is a brand new name that has aroused curiosity: Wilfried Nathan Douala. Fans who searched for this player's image were surprised.
According to Cameroon Football Federation records and data sites, Wilfried Nathan Douala is only 17 years old (born in 2006). This player is on the payroll of Victoria United Club and there is no data on the number of previous matches played, indicating that he may have just started playing professionally.
Cameroon player Wilfried Nathan Douala causes controversy.
However, Wilfried Nathan Douala's appearance makes it hard for fans to believe his age. His mature face, thin hair and beard make him look middle-aged.
"Douala, a midfielder for Victoria United, seems to be one of the brightest young talents of the Cameroon Football Federation managed by Samuel Eto'o, the best player in the history of African football," commented Marca.
Actu Cameroun wrote: "Douala is a rare traditional playmaker in Cameroon. Speed, intelligence, and decisive passes are the qualities of this player. Many people praise Rigobert Song for discovering this special talent."
In addition, the age of football players in Africa has always caused a lot of controversy because in difficult areas, birth records from the previous period are difficult to control and verify. There have been many cases such as Wilfried Nathan Douala - players whose age was suspected due to their "premature" appearance.
The most famous case is Joseph Minala. The player born in 1996 emerged very early - at the age of 17 - but not because of his mark on the field but because of his appearance. He was a member of the youth team of Lazio Club but then only played for lower-ranked clubs in Italy.
Phuong Mai
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