Galatasaray handed 14-year-old academy player Mustafa Kapi his first-team debut in a friendly against Levski Sofia.
Mustafa, a midfielder who joined from Denizlispor in 2013, replaced Sinan Gumus in the 89th minute at Levski’s Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in the Bulgarian capital.
Galatasaray won 2-0, with goals from Josué and Hamit Altintop, who began his career before Mustafa was born in 2002. Another player – the right-back Sabri Sarioglu – has been playing for Galatasaray for his new team-mate’s entire life.
The teenager thanked the manager, Jan Olde Riekerink, with a hug at the final whistle. Riekerink was the head of youth development for Ajax’s reserve team and has also managed youth teams in China. On this evidence, he is clearly prepared to give youth a chance.
Mustafa Kapı runs to head coach Jan Olde Riekerink to thank him after making his first appearance for Galatasaray. #GSlive pic.twitter.com/ztF08WKq93
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) October 8, 2016
The Dutchman could offer Mustafa further opportunities with Galatasaray in a transitional phase – they finished sixth in the league last season, and were handed a two-year ban from European competition in March after failing to comply with financial fair play regulations.
Mustafa’s debut comes days after 13-year-old Karamoko Dembélé came on as a late substitute for Celtic’s Under-21 team against Hearts.
