Soccer News of Saturday, 12 April 2003

Source: World Soccer magazine

Yakubu makes world best young XI

Probably the best youth team in the world.....

 Fernando Torres    Sanz Fernando    Cavenaghi 
(Atletico Madrid) (River Plate)



Diego Andres Iniesta Ricardo Quaresma Antonio Cassano
(Santos) (Barcelona) (Sporting Lisbon) (AS Roma)

Tobias Rau Du Wei Yakubu Abubakari John O'Shea
(Wolfsburg) (Shanghai) (Ajax) (Man United)
Diego Sebastian Saja
(Sans Lorenzo)

Yakubu Joining Wei in the centre of defence is Ajax's Ghana-born defender Yakubu Abubakari. The 21-year-old made his Ajax debut against FC Den Bosch in 2000 but the former reserve team captain only went on to make five further first team appearances for the Dutch club.
The following season the African put his international commitments with Ghana's Black Stars on the back burner to concentrate on his club commitments and his dedication appears to have paid dividends.
This term Yakubu has also partnered established centre-back Christian Chivu in the Champions League, following Andre Bergdolmo's loss of form, to help Ajax to the semi-finals.
Much is expected of Yakubu at Ajax and he was named the hottest prospect in football by World Soccer magazine.