Five African Kids who Could Storm the World Cup and Force Barcelona, United to Take Notice

As the world waits with bated breath for the Russia World Cup, Ducor Sports gives a lowdown on which African kids could come out top and get the calibre of Manchester, City and Chelsea scampering for their next big thing.

ISMAILA SARR

Price tag: £12.6m

Age: 20

He may be an unknown to Premier English League football followers but certainly not to club faithful of Stade Rennais or the French Ligue1 commentators by large. A box of tricks with speed, for Rennes gaffer Sabri Lamouchi, the 20-year-old wide-man is billed for the summit of football.

Metz plucked him from their Senegalese feeder club Generation Foot before Rennais wooed him away for a fee of £16.2m. Not the typical wing-wizard to rake up 20 plus goals per season and the five he managed of the 24 appearances he’d gotten featured in, doesn’t fairly match the huge sums forked out in his purhcase.

However, Sabri has faith in the Senegalese just as Guardiola makes it his business to morph raw talents to the finished product.

Ismaila is known more for his darting runs and tricks, most often leaving defenders on their backsides. A number of heavyweight European clubs including the two Manchester outfits have in the past dispatched scouts to monitor his progress and this June’s World Cup accord them chance to firm up their pursuit of the youngster.

Forget about team main skipper Sadio Mane. Sarr is the real deal and his pace could be key when Senegal launches in on counter-attack.

ACHRAF HAKIMI

Price tag: €5m

A Champions League winners’ medal, Spanish Super Cup, FIFA World Club Cup and a Uefa Super Cup is indicative of far this Spain-born youngster has come up.

At 19, he’s being tipped to deliver and is a respected voice in the Atlas Lions’ dressing room. So, little wonder why he’s accorded a regular pick-up status with the Moroccan national team.

Rouh remains a revelation for the European champions even with a paltry return of cameos for the Los Blancos.

Glares are made regarding his crosses but the North Africans only stand to benefit when he gallops down the wing. Ancellotti’s demand to secure his services on loan exudes trust.

The World would be watching when he gets down to work.

SAIF EDDINE KHAOUI

Price tag: £4.5m

Age: 23

Coach Nabil Maaloul included seven home-based players in his WC roster for St Petersburg as many abroad-based stars faced the axe. Erstwhile French youth player Saif is one of those to force their way in Maaloul’s thinking in what’s sure his premier major tournament for the Carthage Eagles. Olympique Marseille farmed him out to Troyes on loan for one reason –to develop. And, with 21 starts in 32 cameos, the Paris-born has certainly grown game-wise. One of three new arrivals to fill the void left by the absence of injury-ravaged Mskani, Khouai plans to get a spot in Marseille’s line-up come next term. The World Cup presents that opportunity. Le Frapper –the man calling the shots at Marseille –will be watching from a distance taking mental notes of all that there’s to be noticed of this budding youngster. With a strong penchant for curly long blasts, you can guess England’s Southgate by now mapping out a scheme to have him tamed in their opening fixture.

Gifted with a daring left-foot, he can unlock the most resolute of defenses.

Tottenham’s Eric Dier will have a busy time nuetralising this little Tunisian.

Southampton, Everton and an unnamed side from the EPL big-four, are reported to be keeping tabs on his progression.

DIAO KEITA BALDE

Price tag: £27m

Age: 23

Scoring goals shouldn’t cause Senegal any qualms. With a talent like the former Barcelona star and supported by Sadio Mane, the Taranga Lions frontline only gets better. Monaco raiding Lazio for Dia as Kylian Mbappe’s replacement is a big statement and, with the flair he displays, it would be correct to predict it won’t be long before he begins to match Neymar’s feat. The 2002 Senegalese team have set a benchmark Diao and co cannot afford not to equal.

Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim

Price tag: €2.7m

Age: 24

Kharaba, which translates as Electricity in Arabic, is his moniker. His sobriquet should be enough explanation hinting the opposition what to expect.

Capable of scoring from all angles, Mahmoud makes even half-chances count. Being the marquee of the Pharaohs, Mo Salah would be the Uruguay gaffer’s prime target to marshal. That should just allow ‘Electricity’ to blind Suarez and co.

His trademark runs will be key to unlocking defenses, gifting Salah –if at all he gets to play – and Mahmoud Trezeguet space to cause havoc.