Garang, Teng and Didi Kuol are unknown to A-League fans but, like older brother and new A-League sensation Alou Kuol, these African-heritage brothers could boost Australia’s pro ranks in the future.
That is the assessment of Goulburn Valley Suns coach Craig Carley - and he should know.
Carley is the man who discovered and mentored new Central Coast Mariners striker Alou Kuol at the regional Victorian club.
But Australia is warned. African nation South Sudan is believed to be tracking Alou Kuol.
However, the new A-League player is being tracked by the Green and Gold, too, and has trained with Australia’s youth teams under Gary Van Egmond.
If Alou was to play for his African nation of birth (he was born in Khartoum), it could mean his brothers may follow suit.
That, however, is a question for another day.
WATCH Kuol's brilliant FOX SPORTS interview after his A-League starting debut
Carley, the ex AFC Wimbledon striker who played alongside A-League legend Shane Smeltz at the Dons, discovered and mentored 18-year-old A-League rising star Alou at the Victorian NPL 2 outfit before he went on to make his A-League starting debut on Friday night.
Last season, Kuol - born in Khartoum in the East-Central African nation - smashed 20 goals in 12 games in the U20s, before becoming top scorer in Victoria’s NPL 2 East seniors in his first season.
Kuol was subsequently scouted by Nick Montgomery, the former Sheffield United legend and now Central Coast Academy head coach.
Despite Goulburn being in a relegation dogfight, Carley was more than happy to let his star striker and main goal threat go to train with the A-League club at the back end of last season.
While proud of Alou and how he has represented the African community in the region, Carley firmly believes the prodigal teen's younger brothers are also on track to be players in the A-League.
“There’s Didi [Kuol] who played in our U12s last year when he was just nine. He’s not looking out of place.
“Then there’s Garang and Teng who are 15 and 16 respectively,” Carley told FTBL.
“All fantastic talents, goal-scorers in their own age groups, they live, breathe, and eat football.
“They are there training whether training is on or not. I believe they can all go on to play professional football.
“And their Dad is a giant of a man, so physically I think they’ll shoot up as they get older.”
Carley says Garang Kuol made a mockery of at least one former A-League defender in a pre-season friendly.
“We played NPL powerhouse Dandenong City in a pre-season friendly before COVID hit,” says Carley, himself a goalscoring legend in the regional NPL arena.
“[Former Socceroo] Sasa Ognenovski is the coach there and Garang came on and just ran past [former A-League defender] Adrian Leijer like he wasn’t there.
“For a 15-year-old to do that… I spoke to Sasa and said this kid [Garang] is going to be something special as well.”
CHECK OUT Goulburn Valley Suns' official site
Talent is one thing. Charisma is another.
Dull A-League post-match interviews were given a shot of personality with Koul’s chat on Friday night following a 0-0 F3 derby draw with the Jets.
“Hearing him after the game, that’s exactly Alou. He’s unique. I’ve never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He loves football and life,” says Carley.
“[Though] from time to time we’ve had to have words,” cautions his mentor.
“And I’m certainly trying to get him to take things more seriously the last couple of years, and football-wise he has done that.
“What you saw on Friday night after the game was typical Alou, and that’s why we love him.
“He’s a breath of fresh air and I think the whole of Australia football will embrace him, particularly when he starts scoring some goals.”
Adding to Kuol’s appealing backstory, the new A-League striker was at sessions with Goulburn during the lockdown as they trained under COVID protocols.
He was also taking some shifts at Shepparton cafe The Deck before returning to Central Coast.
“He was working in the Deck’s kitchen… he's the self-proclaimed chicken wings expert!" adds Carley.
“Alou is just a brilliant story. He’ll get better and better with more minutes on the pitch.
“I believe he can go to Europe and have a successful career.
“If I’m honest I thought he looked pretty nervous on Friday night. And the overall quality of the game wasn’t that impressive either.
“Alou worked hard and will get better with more game time,” said Carley.
CHECK OUT CCM's official A-League site
FTBL’s scouting network was alerted to African-born Kuol last year.
And Kuol is not the only rising star with African heritage making a mark in the A-League.
A few examples include Mohammed Toure (Guinea) at Adelaide, who debuted in the A-League aged 15 this season.
One of the great African sports stories was in 2018 with former refugees Thomas Deng and Awer Mabil.
The South Sudanese refugees and pals from Adelaide made their international debuts for Australia together in the Socceroos' 4-0 rout of Kuwait.
And when Deng played a crucial role in setting-up Mabil to score their story became one of the year’s most heartwarming.
Will Kuol end up playing for the Socceroos?
Time will tell but the African community in the area is very proud of his A-League debut.
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“The whole community is behind Alou. And we have such a big African community here,” added Carley.
“As a club, we embrace them [the African community] and they love the game.
“We go to a place called African House, where a lot of these families hang out together.
“They are so welcoming and embracing is our African community, and they love their sport.”
Kuol was close to signing with Western United, but with one spot left in their squad, Besart Berisha was signed. It could be the Mariners' gain and United's loss.
Also benefitting is the A-League.
Goulburn Valley Suns and Craig Carley are clearly doing the job of a proxy academy for A-League clubs, giving young players a chance to play senior football.
And as Kuol pointed out, playing against men physically bigger doesn’t faze him.
The four Kuol brothers have been big news in Shepparton in recent years both in football and representing the local African community in a positive manner.
Now, the older Kuol is giving the A-League a much-needed boost of personality and belief.
How long before another Kuol is seen in the A-League?
It’s worth noting that another young Goulburn Valley Sun player, keeper James Nieuwenhuizen, has joined Melbourne City.
The region's pipeline is strong, clearly.
“It’s brilliant to see on behalf of the whole club,” said Carley, one of the more talented young coaches who represented England at ‘C’ level and arrived in regional Victoria a decade ago.
"We’re only a young club so to see Alou progress from our club into the A-League, that’s what we’re all about and want to see from our youngsters.
Carley added: “We give them a chance to play, develop then go on. Hopefully it’s the first of many for us."
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