The name of the Borussia Dortmund striker, Yusova Mukoko,
could become famous around the world within hours if expectations
were to be believed, and he became the youngest player ever to
participate in the Champions League, Tuesday.
Borussia Dortmund said on Monday that Yusova Mukoko joined
the squad in the match that will be held against Belgium’s
Brugge at the German team’s stadium.
Mukoko broke the German league record on Saturday when he
made his debut with Dortmund the day after his 16th birthday.
Mukoko came as a substitute in the match, which ended with a
five-goal win over Hertha Berlin. And if he plays Tuesday,
Mukoko will break the Champions League record, which is kept
by Celestine Papayaro.
The Nigerian left-back was 16 years and 87 days old when he
played for Belgian club Anderlecht, in the group stage in 1994.
Dortmund coach Lucien Favre said he was “keen to change the
team to cope with the busy schedule, but did not commit to
giving Mukoko any time to play,” according to the Associated Press.
He added, “It is difficult to say and answer immediately. We
will see today in the exercises … We have a lot of options on the
front line and we will see.”
Mukoko scored 13 goals in 4 matches for the Dortmund Under-19
team this season, and 34 goals in 20 games last season.
The player has been training regularly with the first team since
last August.
Mukoko was born in Cameroon but moved to Germany as a
child and played for the German national youth teams.
