One-time Liverpool-target Jeremy Doku Baffour reminded the world of his quality and talent as he climbed off the bench to provide an assist and score for Anderlecht in the Royal club’s league game on Sunday.
The prodigious forward, still 17, took matters into his own hands after being introduced as a 58th minute replacement for Dutch international Michel Vlap.
By the time he settled into the game, Anderlecht were 3-0 down and down with the entire squad and dug-out led by manager Frank Vercauteren.
With the ball at his feet Doku was trouble for the KV Oostende defence as he laced and diced venom into the Anderlecht attack. Anderlecht pulled a goal back 26 minutes after his entrance into the game as he worked the hosts defence to tire. Former Tottenham Hotspur and AS Monaco offensive midfielder Nacer Chadli relied on his brilliance to keep the scoring 3-1. The attacker displayed resilience inside the area as he held on to the ball under hot defensive aggression before releasing the ball to the Chadli who scored.
In added-time he further reduced the deficit as he directed the ball past the hosts keeper to reduce the margin to just a goal though there was no further time for Anderlecht to forge a comeback.
Doku was one-time a target for European giants Liverpool but a negotiations broke down leading to the Anfield side opting out of the deal.
The youngster with the heart of a lion, was born in the small town of Borgerhout, a suburb of Antwerp to Ghanaian parents and holds Belgian passport. Talent hunters within the ranks of the European powerhouse spotted his qualities early and drafted him to the Belgian youth ranks. And, he says he feels happy representing Belgium and doesn’t know yet whether he would ever feature for the West African country where his parents come from.
Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah recently embarked on an European tour but it is unknown whether he met with the player and his family about his international future.
In October Doku scored for Belgium in UEFA Euro U21 Qualifiers and is one of the young players who could make their debut for the senior side at a very tender age.
By El Akyereko
Follow the writer on Twitter: @Akwasiakyereko
