Bassirou Nkoto and his brother Douka were both called up to a Cameroon under-23 training camp during the March international break.
Manchester United had plenty of players on national duty over the past two weeks, both in the first team and also from the academy.
Among the less publicised was the under-18 pair, Bassirou Nkoto and Douka Nkoto, the twin brothers from Cameroon who, at just 15, are expected to become stars.
Bassirou Nkoto has long been considered a top talent, with injuries preventing him from stepping up earlier. But now Cameroon have shown just how talented they think he is.
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Godwill Kukonki of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Derby County at Old Trafford on January 23, 2026
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Bassirou Nkoto celebrates with Noah Ajayi.
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Bassirou Nkoto captains Cameroon under-23s
This season, Douka Nkoto has been great for United’s under-18 side, playing sporadically but making a big impact when he does.
Bassirou Nkoto has only recently come into the under-18 fold, which, there is no shame in considering, he’s 15.
Now, Cameroon has gone a step further, calling both up into their under-23 squad over the past few weeks, with Bassirou even wearing the captain’s armband.
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Speaking after a 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves B in a friendly, Bassirou told MSI TV of his pride in wearing the armband.
“We played a good match. In the first half, I didn’t start, but I talked it over with the coach. We have a very young team. The idea was to play well and then finish the job, and I think we did that nicely.
“I’m very happy to represent my country, and for the opportunity I’ve been given to be the captain, so I thank the coaches for their trust.
“In the first half, it was tough because they managed to read our game, but in the second half, when the coach analyzed how they were playing and made the changes, that made all the difference. The atmosphere in the den with the other players is incredible.”
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Bassirou Nkoto explains how Cameroon are backing him for the future
To be called up to the under-23 side so early in his career, Bassirou is clearly tipped for the top by his nation. In the interview he gave, the teenager also stated that the reason for his call-up was that Cameroon is plotting a World Cup-winning effort for the future.
“The coach gave us the chance to come because he contacted our father and told him he wanted to build a great team capable of winning the World Cup in the years to come. I think we deserve it, and we can do it.
“It’s really great. I’m very happy to be part of this group. It’s a privilege for us, and I want to come back, that’s for sure.
“The Lions A? Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it ever since Samuel Eto’o sent the coach to see us when we were in Germany with Manchester United. Then, he talked to our dad, and our dad told us it was our country and that we had to represent it.”
Having watched Bassirou play a handful of times, winning the World Cup is a lofty ambition that is surely more than a decade down the line.
But there is no denying this would have been a brilliant experience for the youngster and his twin.
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