U17 World Cup: Europe relies on five gems of African descent
Several rising stars of African origin will compete in the U17 World Cup with European national teams.
The tournament is set to kick off on November 3, with the final scheduled for the 27th of the same month.
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This 48-nation youth World Cup will feature 10 African teams, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Uganda.
Jorthy Mokio
The defensive midfielder of Congolese descent will don the Belgium shirt at the U17 World Cup. The Gent native already boasts 27 appearances and 2 goals with Ajax Amsterdam’s first team.
Mohammed El Âdfaoui
Another defensive midfielder, this time of Moroccan origin, will also represent Belgium at the tournament. Fast-tracked to Gent’s senior squad, he has already played 6 matches, delivering one assist.
Abdoulaye Camara
The midfielder of Guinean descent will play the U17 World Cup with France. Recently signed by Udinese, he is still awaiting his debut with the senior team.

Djibril Coulibaly
The young midfielder of Malian descent will take part in the tournament with France. He has made a single senior appearance for OGC Nice so far.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Of Nigerian origin, the young central defender will feature for Austria at the U17 World Cup. After a string of impressive performances with Austria Vienna’s youth teams, he is already on the radar of the senior squad.