Who is Issa Kabore? The Manchester City right-back named AFCON Best Young Player

The 20-year-old had a stand-out tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations .
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Young Manchester City right-back Issa Kabore has been named as the Best Young Player at the Africa Cup of Nations, which culminated in a penalty shoot-out between Senegal and Egypt.

His performances for Burkina Faso, a nation that can boast the likes of Aston Villa’s Betrand Traore and Andre Onana of Ajax, got him the award, as his side lost 5-3 on penalties in a place for third match game against host nation Cameroon.

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Kabore could become to natural heir to Kyle Walker, sharing many attributes that the former Tottenham full-back has that makes him so formidable.

Kabore arrived in Manchester in 2020, signing for the blue half of the city. He spent his entire youth career at Rahimo FC, a team that is local to where the youngster was born, Bobo-Dioulasso.

Upon signing for City, he was immediately shipped out to K.V Mechelen, an established team from Belgium’s top flight.

After 27 appearances there, Kabore has spent this season on loan at Ligue 1 side Troyes, where this season he has made 15 appearances.

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Despite not scoring a senior goal at club level yet, Kabore is known as a powerful full-back who gets forward whenever the opportunity presents itself, something that will appeal to City boss Pep Guardiola, with Joao Cancelo and Walker renowned for their contributions going forward.

Cancelo admits he struggled to adapt after his move to Manchester in 2019. Credit: Getty.Cancelo admits he struggled to adapt after his move to Manchester in 2019. Credit: Getty.
Cancelo admits he struggled to adapt after his move to Manchester in 2019. Credit: Getty.

The youngster got three assists at the recent tournament, the joint-highest assist tally.

Senegal ran out eventual winners, with Liverpool wingers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah pitted against each other at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

Mane missed a penalty in normal time, but kept his cool in the shoot out to secure Senegal their first ever AFCON trophy, with Mane also named as the tournaments best player.

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