Angola U-17 Goalkeeper Gelson Dala Goes Viral Over Age Memes After MVP Performance
Gelson Dala, the 16-year-old goalkeeper for the Angola Under-17 national team, became an unexpected viral sensation during the U-17 African Cup in Morocco. After delivering a solid performance in a 0-0 draw against Mali, earning him the TotalEnergies Player of the Match award from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), social media users reacted intensely to his physical appearance. Despite official records confirming his birth date as September 22, 2009, many users joked that he looked significantly older, with memes suggesting he played in the 2006 World Cup. The situation was further complicated by confusion with Gelson Dala, a well-known senior Angolan striker currently playing for Al-Wakrah. This incident has reignited longstanding debates about age falsification in African youth football, referencing past controversies in countries like Cameroon. However, no official complaints or investigations have been launched against the young goalkeeper. Dala, who plays for CA Petróleos Luanda, remains a key figure for Angola's youth squad, recognized officially for his decisive contributions in the tournament.
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