South African-born winger Jean-Marc Moutsinga makes CAF Confederation Cup debut with Al Ahli Wad Madani

Jean-Marc Samuel Luthando Moutsinga has marked an important moment in his emerging career after making his debut in the CAF Confederation Cup for Sudanese side Al Ahli SC Wad Madani.

The 20-year-old winger featured as Al Ahli Wad Madani drew 2-2 with Kenyan club Tusker FC in their first-leg encounter at Kigali Stadium.

Moutsinga’s appearance provides him with his first experience of CAF club competition and adds another significant step to a career that has already taken him to South Africa, Europe and now Sudan.

The match against Tusker FC was played at Kigali Stadium, with Al Ahli Wad Madani securing a draw before the return leg in Nairobi, Kenya. That second meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 10 September.

Moutsinga was born in Johannesburg to a South African mother and a Cameroonian father. Before joining Al Ahli, he spent time developing in South Africa and Europe, including a spell with Czech club FK Frydek-Mistek.

He has also attended a Liverpool FC academy camp, adding experience at a major European club’s development level to his football background.

His move to Sudan has given him the chance to continue his development in senior football while also competing on the continental stage. The CAF Confederation Cup appearance is therefore another opportunity for Moutsinga to build the experience required to progress towards the professional level he has been targeting.

In a June interview with Soccer Laduma, Moutsinga discussed his determination to establish himself as a professional footballer. He also spoke about his ambition to play for one of South Africa’s biggest PSL clubs.

International football is another long-term goal for the winger. Moutsinga said he wanted to represent Bafana Bafana and remained determined to earn a call-up to the South Africa national team.

His debut for Al Ahli Wad Madani does not yet represent an international appearance, but it gives him a continental match on his record as he continues to pursue those ambitions.

The return against Tusker FC in Nairobi will offer Moutsinga another chance to gain competitive experience with Al Ahli Wad Madani. He now has a CAF Confederation Cup appearance behind him as he continues his journey from youth football and academy opportunities towards the senior professional game.

For a player who was born in Johannesburg, has South African and Cameroonian family links, and has already experienced football in both Africa and Europe, the appearance in Kigali represents a further stage in that progression. His immediate focus will be the second leg in Kenya, while his wider aims remain reaching the professional level, playing for a leading PSL club and one day being selected for Bafana Bafana.