Burkina Faso midfielder Bertrand Traore late Monday became the third-youngest player ever to appear at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 16-year-old was brought on by coach Paulo Duarte in the Stallions’ 2-1 defeat against Sudan, which ended their Africa Cup of Nations participation after losing all three group B matches.
The only players older than Traore, whose older brother Alain also plays for the national team, were Gabon striker Shiva Star Nzigou and Sierra Leone’s Mohamed Kallon.
Nzigou, who currently plays for Belgium third division club Virton, was 16 years, two months and 30 days when he played at the 2000 finals, while former Inter Milan striker Kallon was 16 years, three months and nine days when he played in 1996.
Traore, who last year had a six-week trial with Chelsea and played in a game for the club’s youth side, was 16 years, four months and 24 days when he came on for Narcisse Yameogo on Monday night.