The Africa U-20 Cup of Nations continues to boost its status as one of the most highly scouted competitions in world football as clubs from all over the world attempt to discover new talent from the continent at a young age. Multiple players from the 2021 edition moved on to new clubs in Europe, the Middle East and the United States following the tournament in Mauritania and it looks like many will graduate to the next step of their club and national team careers after playing in Egypt 2023. Pan-Africa Football highlights several players from each group who are impressing and we start with Group A below:
Click here to look at who we highlighted from the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.
Ghanaian playmaker Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was the Player of the Tournament at the 2021 AFCON U-20, earning a move to current club Sporting CP in Portugal
Mamadou Camara- Senegal (RS Berkane [MAR])
DOB: 5/1/2003
There are numerous players to pick from in a Senegal squad that continues to display the large amount of depth and talent in the country’s domestic game but we wanted to highlight players who are not already in European football or at top domestic talent producing club Génération Foot. Mamadou Lamine Camara is struggling to find a regular role with Moroccan club RS Berkane but the 20-year-old shows all the talent and physical profile any club wants from a central midfielder. Camara is calm on the ball and his passes help Senegal transition from defense to attack with ease when he collects and quickly moves the ball to the team’s attacking players.
Solomon Agbalaka- Nigeria (Broad City FC [NGA])
DOB: 9/11/2003
Agbalaka is a player who began his career as a central defender before moving out to left back where he is doing excellently for Nigeria with a goal and an assist in the group stage. The 19-year-old is not a natural attacker on the left flank but shuts down opposition attackers who come up against him and displays a growing confidence when distributing out of the back. His crucial headed goal against Egypt gave the Flying Eagles the confidence they need to make a deep run in Egypt and Agbalaka’s early signs of versatility will only help his cause for a transfer abroad.
Omar Fayed- Egypt (Arab Contractors [EGY])
DOB: 4/7/2003
It was nothing short of a disaster for hosts Egypt at the 2023 AFCON U-20 but there is clearly talent within the Young Pharaohs squad. Center back Omar Fayed did not have his best tournament but the positive moments show a towering defender who already has the technical and passing ability to succeed at a higher level. In an Egypt team with little professional experience due to the Egyptian Premier League’s preference for older and more established players, Fayed is one of the few who play regularly at the senior level with Arab Contractors, the club that produced Mohamed Salah.
Seydou Sano- Senegal (US Gorée [SEN])
DOB: 28/10/2004
Sano is a towering central defender who physically dominated his opponents in the group stage. The US Gorée player is aggressive in the tackle and eager to press high so that Senegal can maintain consistent pressure. The 18-year-old won over 80% of his aerial duels during the group stage and is becoming more and more confident with his passing as the tournament progresses. Keep an eye on Sano because his massive stature and intelligence on defensive duels will make clubs abroad eager to make a move for his services.
