AFCON: Tanzania international and South Asian heritage winger Tarryn Allarakhia becomes first Wealdstone footballer to play at tournament
Tanzania winger Tarryn Allarakhia becomes first Wealdstone FC footballer to play at an Africa Cup of Nations after starting against Morrocco; Allarakhia, who has mixed Indian and East African heritage, is also the first British South Asian to play at a Cup of Nations in the modern era
@DevTrehan
Wednesday 17 January 2024 18:02, UK
Tanzania winger Tarryn Allarakhia has become the first Wealdstone FC footballer to play at an Africa Cup of Nations after starting against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morrocco.
Allarakhia, who has mixed Indian and East African heritage, is also the first British South Asian to play at a Cup of Nations in the modern era.
Sky Sports News is awaiting a response from the African Football Federation (CAF) to see if another British South Asian has played at the tournament in its 67-year history.
England's Football Association was also contacted, but they do not have any records of a British South Asian playing at an Africa Cup of Nations.
Allarakhia hails from Redbridge in east London, which is home to more British South Asians than any other borough in London.
The 26-year-old began his journey in football at the Leyton Orient academy, before going on to play senior football at clubs across Essex including Aveley, Maldon and Tiptree, and Colchester United.
Allarakhia was signed by then-Crawley Town boss Harry Kewell in 2018, before departing for Woking three years later following a season-long loan at Wealdstone.
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