Nice Football Club Unfazed by Age Controversy Surrounding Youssoufa Moukoko

Youssoufa Moukoko, currently on loan at OGC Nice, has been struggling to make his mark on the pitch. The young striker’s performances have been disappointing, with only two goals and two assists in 13 appearances. However, recent off-field developments have added another layer of complexity to his situation.

In November, Nice’s manager Franck Haise acknowledged Moukoko’s difficulties in adapting to the team. Since then, the player’s form has not improved, leading to speculation about his future with the club. While Nice has an option to purchase Moukoko at the end of the season, this seems increasingly unlikely given his current form.

Adding to the on-field concerns, a controversy has arisen regarding Moukoko’s age. Joseph Moukoko, who is registered as Youssoufa’s father, claimed in an upcoming documentary that the player is actually 24 years old, not 20 as officially stated. According to Joseph, “He was born on July 19, 2000. We reduced his age by four years.”

Despite these claims, OGC Nice appears unconcerned about the age discrepancy. An internal source at the club stated, “Whether he’s 20 or 24, it doesn’t change anything for OGC Nice.” The source added that the club is more worried about Moukoko’s performances, noting that media attention on the age issue could negatively impact the player’s mental state.

For now, Nice seems committed to focusing on Moukoko’s on-field development, with manager Haise dismissing any notion of terminating the loan agreement prematurely. The club’s priority remains improving the young striker’s form and integration into the team, regardless of the controversy surrounding his age.