adminJOHANNESBURG. — Mauritian Kersley Appou could overtake Cameroon legend Roger Milla this weekend and become the oldest African international footballer. The 43-year striker with 10 goals from 24 national-team appearances is in an 18-man squad for the opening 2015 Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania in Nouakchott.
And if Appou starts or comes on as a substitute at the 40 000-seat Stade Olympique in the north-west Africa city, he will overtake 1990 World Cup show-stopper Milla.
The Cameroonian bade farewell to international football at the 1994 World Cup in the United States aged 42 years and 39 days.
Appou turns 44 on April 24, four days after the return match against Mauritania in a tie that gets the ball rolling in a 222-day qualifying competition for Morocco.
However, the Mauritian from the Pamplemousses club has some way to go if he wants to become the oldest international footballer among Fifa member nations.
That distinction belongs to MacDonald Taylor senior from the US Virgin Islands at 46 years and 217 days, according to soccer statistics foundation RSSSF.
Netherlands beach footballer Roel Liefden holds the Fifa final competition record, playing at 46 years and seven months in the 2013 World Cup, the world governing body confirmed.
The chances of Appou playing are good as he and 23-year-old Gurty Calembe are the only strikers chosen by coach Akbar Patel. — AFP.
Online Reporter