Share

Wunderkind, 12, nets twice in Germany U-16 win

Berlin - German 12-year-old wunderkind Youssoufa Moukoko continued his remarkable season on Wednesday by scoring twice in an Under-16 international.

Moukoko, who only turns 13 in November, scored both goals in Germany Under-16's 2-1 win away to Austria in Hippach on Wednesday, even though he is at least two years younger than most of his team-mates.

Moukoko, who was born in Cameroon, made his international debut for Germany's juniors in a 3-1 win over Austria on Monday, then scored the winning goals in a second international between the nations.

He has already made waves in German youth football this season by scoring 13 goals in five games for Borussia Dortmund's Under-17 team in the junior Bundesliga.

Under German Football Association (DFB) rules, he is not allowed to play in the Bundesliga until he is 17.

However, doubts persist in some quarters about his age.

According to his official certificate, issued at the German consulate in Yaounde, his date of birth is November 20, 2004.

Bild, Germany's biggest selling daily newspaper, dedicated a spread on the precocious talent in Sunday's sports supplement under the headline: "Is this wunderkind really only 12 years old?"

Moukoko is pictured alongside his 18-year-old girlfriend, who plays for St Pauli's Under-21 team in Hamburg, where the couple met.

Bild said his 66-year-old father and his mother, 28, still live in Hamburg while Moukoko lodges with a family in Dortmund.

"Straight after the birth, I registered him at the German embassy in Yaounde. We have a German birth certificate," Moukoko's father insisted.

The German FA and his club are aware of the doubts, but insist all the paperwork is in order.

"The DFB has already had a number of intensive discussions with Borussia Dortmund at various levels," said a DFB statement.

"At the DFB's request for careful consideration of the facts, those responsible at Borussia Dortmund always point to the authenticity of the papers and documents, which are also known by DFB.

"There is therefore no doubt about the correctness of the age of the player.

"In this matter, the DFB relies on the details of the home club of the player."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1800 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1761 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1066 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 449 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 184 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
4% - 247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE