Joseph Minala

Joseph Minala
Personal information
Full nameJoseph Marie Minala
Date of birth24 August 1996
Place of birthYaoundé, Cameroon
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Bari
(on loan from Lazio)
Number14
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2014–Lazio3(0)
2014–→ Bari (loan)14(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 April 2014.
† Appearances (Goals).

Joseph Marie Minala (born 24 August 1996) is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Lazio.[1][2]

Club career

Early career

At 15 Minala left Yaounde and flew to Rome without contacts or plans, but fortunately found friends and began playing for amateur club Vigor Perconti. His playing skill initially attracted the attention of Napoli, who gave him a two month trial.[3] Ultimately, however, he was noticed by Lazio scout Alberto Bollini who, suitably impressed, referred Minala to Lazio’s current director of sports Igli Tare to sign a pre-contract.

Minala then joined Lazio's Allievi squad in their 2013-14 Viareggio Cup Youth Tournament campaign under coach Simone Inzaghi.

In early 2014, Minala then made news when his age was publicly disputed by multiple parties. Both Lazio and the player denied all such claims.[4] In May, the Italian FA completed their investigation confirming his given age as accurate and announcing that no disciplinary action would be taken against him or Lazio.[5]

Lazio

Minala broke into Lazio's senior team on 16 March 2014, when he was an unused substitute in the match against Cagliari.[6] He then made his full Serie A debut on 6 April 2014 against Sampdoria in a 2–0 home win, replacing Senad Lulić for the last 13 minutes of the match.[7] He made a further two league appearances, both as a substitute.

Bari

On 25 August 2014 it was announced that Minala would join on loan Serie B side Bari for the 2014–15 season.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Cameroon - J. Minala - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Italian FA confirms Lazio youth player Joseph Minala is 17 and not 42". The Guardian. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  3. ↑ Meranzov, Martin (10 February 2014). "The story of Joseph Minala". LazioLand. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Joseph Minala: Lazio respond to false age claims of teenager; BBC Sport, 13 February 2014
  5. ↑ "Joseph Minala: Italian FA confirms Lazio youth player is 17". BBC Sport. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Cagliari vs. Lazio". Soccerway. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Lazio vs. Sampdoria - 6 April 2014 - Soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.fcbari1908.club/mercato-minala-ss-lazio-titolo-temporaneo/

External links