27 June 2011
One of the hottest properties in the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup being played in Mexico is undoubtedly Cote d’Ivoire striker Souleymane Coulibaly.
The 16-year-old, who is on the books of Italian side Siena, has scored all eight of the Ivorians’ goals in the three matches of the competitions so far.
Having netted four times in the 4-2 victory over Denmark last time out, he scored another hat-trick, this time against the might of Brazil as the African side drew 3-3 and advanced to the second round of the competition.
Having trailed 2-1 after 14 minutes, the Ivorians turned the tables on their opponents to take a 3-2 lead, which they held until the third minute of injury-time when the Brazilians scrambled an equaliser.
Coulibaly’s third goal on the night, a brilliant bicycle-kick from a corner, will live long in the memory.
He has already been hailed as the new ‘Didier Drogba’, with Real Madrid said to be chasing his signature and the future looks immensely bright for the youngster.
It was not such a good day for Burkina Faso, who finished a disappointing tournament with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of another South American side, Ecuador. They have finished bottom of Group E and are the only side in the competition to have lost all three of their matches.
Of the African contingent, Cote d’Ivoire will join Congo in the knockout stages. Congo take on Uruguay in their Last 16 clash on Wednesday, while the Ivorians will play either France or Uzbekistan in the next round.
They have to wait for the result between Denmark and Australia, a match that was postponed due to bad weather on Sunday, to see whether they keep their current second-place position, or drop to third in the pool.
They will be hoping to drop a place, as the third-placed team in the pool takes on the Uzbeks, while the second-placed side plays the French, a much tougher assignment.
Original post:
Coulibaly the hero … again!