The international future of 16 year old Vitesse wonderboy Michael Dokunmu appears to be firmly in the hands of South Africa after the 16 year old was listed in their preliminary squad for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The son of a Nigerian father and a South African mother, the midfielder who recently penned a professional contract with the Dutch Eredivisie side is eligible for both nations but South Africa has stolen a march on Nigeria by handed him a spot in their list of players for the U17 tournament in Algeria.
Described as a beast in the middle, he was born in April 2006 in the South African city of Kimberley. At an early age, however, he moved to Johannesburg, where he let his talent grow and develop at four clubs (Little Kickers, Old Parks, Randburg FC and SuperSport United).
In December 2019, Dokunmu and his family made the crossing to the Netherlands. To the Schuytgraaf district of Arnhem to be precise. Together with his brother Ethan (Under 13), the midfielder was registered with Vitesse, where the youth players have now started their third season.
Upon signing his first professional deal at the club he was asked to describe his playing style which he replied thus. . “My main qualities? Those are my kicking technique, strength and running ability. I am also goal-oriented,” says Dokunmu, who scored eighteen goals for Vitesse Under 16 last season. “It would be nice to score often for the Under 18. My next goal is to progress to the Under 21 and my ultimate dream is of course to reach the first team.”
Nigeria will also campaign at the tournament as champions of WAFU B and they are in the same group with South Africa meaning if Dokunmu makes the final cut of players he will be up against Nigeria in group B.
The other teams in the group are Morocco, South Africa and Zambia. The last four teams at the tournament which starts on the 29th of April will qualify for the U17 World Cup which will be hosted by Peru in November.
Damian Waziri
