By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Long before Yan Diomandé emerged as one of African football’s brightest young talents and earned a move to Real Madrid, Cameroonian coach and scout Ashu Besong Cyprian had already identified the qualities that set the Cote d’Ivoire winger apart.
On June 12, 2022, during Cote d’Ivoire’s U17 international against Benin, Ashu produced a detailed four-page scouting report that would later prove remarkably accurate.
At the time, Coach Ashu was scouting the player on behalf of renowned football intermediary Pungong Kingsley and Rainbow Management Group, who were searching for promising African talents capable of progressing to the highest levels of the game.
The report described Diomandé as an exceptional winger blessed with explosive pace, outstanding dribbling ability and the confidence to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Ashu praised his close control at speed, movement off the ball, vision and ability to create scoring opportunities through dangerous crosses and intelligent attacking runs.
He also highlighted the youngster’s physical profile, describing him as big, strong and quick, with excellent balance and technical ability. His passing range, crossing, work rate and attacking intelligence were all identified as major strengths.
The scouting report did not ignore areas for improvement. Ashu observed that while Diomandé understood his defensive responsibilities, he occasionally needed to improve his tracking back and overall defensive contribution.
Beyond his footballing qualities, the Cameroonian scout praised the youngster’s character, describing him as brave, energetic, competitive, a team player and an excellent communicator who constantly looked to create opportunities for teammates.
In his final assessment, Ashu concluded that Diomandé possessed enormous potential.
“He is a player with lots of potential, naturally gifted. In most situations, he makes it look easy and simple. He has a bright future if he carries on developing. He is top of my list.”
That recommendation would prove significant.
Following Ashu’s scouting report, Pungong Kingsley and Rainbow Management Group facilitated the next stage of Diomandé’s career by taking him to the United States, where he continued his football development before earning a move to Spanish side Leganés.
Yan Diomande is unveiled at Real Madrid
His impressive performances in Spain eventually attracted the attention of Real Madrid, completing a remarkable rise that validated the faith shown in him years earlier.
Today, Coach Ashu Bessong Cyprian continues to make his mark on African football as the head coach of the South Sudan senior men’s national team. His appointment reflects the respect he has earned across the continent through years of coaching, player development and talent identification.
Looking back, the 2022 scouting report on Yan Diomandé stands as a remarkable example of Ashu’s eye for talent. While the Cote d’Ivoire international has progressed from youth football to the United States, then to Leganés and ultimately Real Madrid, the foundations of that journey can be traced back to the detailed assessment produced by the Cameroonian tactician while scouting for Pungong Kingsley and Rainbow Management Group.
Diomandé’s rise serves as a reminder that behind many of Africa’s emerging stars are dedicated scouts and coaches whose expertise identifies exceptional talent long before it reaches the global stage. For Coach Ashu Bessong Cyprian, the story of Yan Diomandé is another testament to his ability to recognize elite potential and his lasting contribution to the development of African football.
French 
English