Education
In May, the Italian FA completed their investigation confirming his given age as accurate and announcing that no disciplinary action would be taken against him or Lazio.
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Joseph Minala
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Career
Early career
At 15 Minala left Yaoundé and flew to Rome without contacts or plans, but found friends and began playing for amateur club Vigor Perconti. His playing skill initially attracted the attention of Napoli, who gave him a two-month trial. Ultimately, however, he was noticed by Lazio scout Alberto Bollini who, suitably impressed, referred Minala to Lazio’s current director of sports Igli Tare to sign a pre-contract.
Minala then joined Lazio"s Allievi squad in their 2013-2014 Viareggio Cup Youth Tournament campaign under coach Simone Inzaghi.
In early 2014, Minala then made news when his age was publicly disputed by multiple parties. Both Lazio and the player denied all such claims.
Lazio
Minala broke into Lazio"s senior team on 16 March 2014, when he was an unused substitute in the match against Cagliari. He made a further two league appearances, both as a substitute.
Bari
On 25 August 2014 it was announced that Minala would join on loan Serie B side Bari for the 2014-2015 season.
On 13 December, as a 73rd-minute substitute for Marco Augusto Romizi, he scored his first career goal, the last-minute decider in an away victory over Cittadella. A week later, he again scored the only goal to defeat Latina at the Stadio San Nicola. On 28 December, Minala was sent off in a 0–3 home defeat to Spezia.
On 11 April 2015, Minala scored the third of his three goals that season, the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Crotone with three minutes remaining, six minutes after replacing Cristian Galano.
Thirteen days later, as a half-time replacement for Romizi, he was sent off for a second time in a game of the same result against Bologna. Latina
On 6 July 2015, Minala was again loaned to a Serie B team, Latina.
He made his debut on 9 August, starting in a 1–4 home defeat to Lega Pro team Pavia in the first round of the Coppa Italia. He scored his first goal for the team on 27 October, equalising in a 1–2 loss to Ternana at the Stadio Domenico Francioni.
Minala played for Cameroon at Under-23 level in their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2015 CAF U-23 Championship.
He scored against Sierra Leone in a 1–1 draw on 30 May 2015 but Cameroon were eliminated in the second round on away goals.
