Africa’s Latest Talent Impresses In Belgium

For most young African footballers, the dream of playing in one of Europe’s top leagues often never materialized. For some lucky to graduate from one of the many development schools across Africa, the transition proves too much with only a few ever succeeding. However a young batch of players has started to surface in leagues across Europe, all with promising futures ahead of them. One such prospect is 20-year-old, Ayanda Patosi. The South African born midfielder started his career playing for a variety of youth teams in his native Cape Town including Mighty United, Vasco da Gama and FC Cape Town before getting his break with ASD Cape Town.
ASD  is dedicated to helping young footballers achieve their potential by sourcing, developing and placing into the worldwide professional game. To do this, they organised trips to Europe to play against youth sides in a variety of different leagues such as France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark. On one such trip to Belguim, Ayanda Patosi caught the eye of a various clubs, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen (or Sporting Lokeren as they are better known) eventually winning his signature and signing the 18-year-old on a four-year deal. It didn’t take long for Patosi to settle in to his new club, making his debut shortly after joining the club and scoring his first goal a month later. In his first season, the central midfielder starred as a bit part player, helping his club to its first Belgian Cup victory, after beating KV Kortrijk in the final.

This season, Patosi has forced his way into the first team on a more permanent basis and is starting to shine, scoring 6 times in his first 13 games. An all round player with a superb first touch and eye for the goal, showcased his skills in last Friday’s match against Standard Leige. Leading 1-0 at half time, Lokeren – performing well this season, started the second half as they had ended the first. After some good interplay, Tunisian striker, Hamdi Harbaoui picked up the ball and played a clever one two with midfielder Enes Saglik. On receiving the ball back, Harbaoui controlled the ball on his chest with his back to goal, flicked it up to himself, before chipping the ball out the left where Patosi was hovering just inside the area. Patosi watched the ball drop to his foot before volleying the ball into the far corner past a stranded Kawashima in the Leige goal.

Lokeren held on to win the match, despite conceding a late goal, to move up to 4th in the league. For Patosi, it was another match performance to be proud of and if his form continues for the rest of this season, it may not be long before Europe’s bigger clubs come to check out Africa’s latest teen sensation. ASD founder Mike Steptoe is in no doubt that Patosi will be gracing a bigger stage in the near future:
“He is very technically gifted and can play anywhere in the middle or up front. Ayanda could be the biggest thing ever to come out of South Africa”

The 10 Series – 10 Exciting Young Footballers to watch in France Ligue 1 in 2013

10 of the most exciting young football players to watch in Ligue 1 in 2013, rising stars breaking through in France. Part of The 10 Series brought to you by Just-Football.com. Follow this link for an introduction to The 10 Series (including criteria) and here for 10 of the best young players in Italy:

Wissam Ben Yedder 

(Toulouse FC, 22 years old)
Wissam Ben Yedder’s transformation from fringe player to one of the most exciting young attackers in Ligue 1 has been nothing short of remarkable. In fact it is more than a transformation, it is a complete reinvention.
At the end of the 2011/12 season the 22-year-old Ben Yedder was no more than a young reserve winger with a trick or two up his sleeve playing second fiddle to the likes of Daniel Braaten, Paulo Machado and Adrien Regattin – happy with the odd substitute appearance here and there.
A tactical switch in the summer however changed his fate. After the failed transfer and subsequent release of Turkish international striker Umut Bulut, Toulouse manager Alain Casanova had just one striker on the books, Emmanuel Riviere, and needed one desperately. Instead he bought no-one, preferring to move Ben Yedder, a futsal star turned academy graduate, from left wing to central striker.
It was a stroke of genius. Ben Yedder has burst onto the scene with his deft touch, technical mastery and surprisingly cool finishing, and his 9 goals so far make him one of Ligue 1′s top scorers in his breakthrough season.

Lucas Digne

(Lille OSC, 19 years old)
In what has so far been a season filled with disappointments for Lille, very few players can look back at their individual performances with any real satisfaction. Lucas Digne however is one who can be proud of his season to date, as his rapid rise into a real star of this LOSC team continues.
Digne only made his debut for Lille in October 2011, a product of Les Dogues’ academy after joining at 13. But in a short space of time the dynamic full back has grown into a player of real promise, rocketing from fourth to first choice left back in no time at all and attracting interest from the very top European clubs already.
Digne has all the attributes required of the modern full back. Dynamic, rapid, extremely athletic and very good offensively, the French Under-19 international has done so well that Lille recently extended his contract until 2017, no doubt to increase his value in the event of any potential sale in the next few years. Mentally he is also very focused and composed on the pitch, and his manager Rudi Garcia describes his maturity at such a young age as ‘reminiscent of a young Eden Hazard.’ Lucas Digne is definitely one to watch.

Kurt Zouma

(Saint-Etienne, 18 years old)
Kurt Zouma’s progress at Saint-Etienne this season has been hindered to a certain extent due to recurring knee trouble, but the eight games he has played so far this season have only served to affirm the 18-year-old’s truly impressive raw abilities.
Zouma’s physical attributes are what stand him out right now; a towering hulk of a centre back even at 16 when he made his debut. At 6’2 you would expect him to dominate aerially, but his timing of aerial challenges is often perfect, even if positionally he still has a lot to learn along the ground.
Described as ‘like a young Philippe Mexes’ by teammate Jean-Pascal Mignot, the youngster has already been the subject of bids from both Manchester City and QPR. Showing a level-head and intelligence that should hold him in good stead Zouma sensibly turned a move to City down, stating that for the foreseeable future he would ‘prefer to grow here’ – words that came as music to Sainté supporters ears.
Zouma is already quite the cult figure at Saint-Etienne and is no shrinking violet, already increasingly influential in the dressing room despite his young age.

Remy Cabella

(Montpellier, 22 years old)
Younes Belhanda and Olivier Giroud may have been the main headling-grabbing stars of Montpellier’s championship winning campaign last season, but MHSC were more than a two-man team. 22-year-old Remy Cabella was part of an excellent supporting cast, and with Belhanda’s dip in form this season and Giroud’s departure Cabella has emerged as one of Montpellier’s key men.
Club president Louis Nicollin admits he wasn’t a big fan of Cabella to begin with. “I wouldn’t say I didn’t like him but, I don’t know, I wasn’t feeling him” Nicollin told France Football at the start of the season. “But there’s been a realisation on his part,” says Nicollin. Since Belhanda left for the Africa Cup of Nations in January Cabella has only continued to grow in stature.
A box of tricks, the speedy right winger can also play from a more central attacking midfield position. 5 goals and 3 assists so far this season is a decent return that shows signs of Cabella’s improving confidence and creativity.

Wahbi Khazri

(Bastia, 21 years old)
As one of the key components of Bastia’s expansive, entertaining, promotion-winning campaign last season it was baffling to see 21-year-old attacking midfielder/winger Wahbi Khazri relegated to the bench at the start of this season by manager Frederic Hantz. Hantz was seeking a balance in his team that meant Khazri was often left out early on, but the Franco-Tunisian quickly made it impossible for his manager to leave him out with some excellent performances and decisive play in attacking areas.
Khazri can play on either flank or behind the striker and is practically a natural in all three positions. His intelligence, both tactically and on the ball, stand him out while his ability from set pieces is magnificent, as demonstrated via a thumping free kick against Bordeaux earlier in the season.
Recently named in Tunisia’s Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad, the uncapped youngster has yet to decide whether to represent France or the Carthage Eagles at international level. Either way, he is a rising star in Ligue 1 and has adapted to top-flight French football almost immediately.

Gueida Fofana

(Olympique Lyonnais, 21 years old)
Gueida Fofana has not found it easy to establish himself since he joined Lyon from the talent factory of Le Havre in the summer of 2011, but the signs are that he is beginning to little by little. The former France Under-20 captain looked to have turned a corner at the start of the season, starting Lyon’s first three league games in midfield before the signing of Steed Malbranque.
Malbranque’s immediate impact curbed Fofana’s progress to an extent, but his performances in OL’s Europa League campaign impressed his manager Remi Garde enough to push Fofana ahead of summer signing Arnold Mvuemba in the midfield pecking order. Signed as a defensive midfield alternative to Maxime Gonalons, it soon became apparent to Lyon’s coaching staff that the youngster’s attributes were more suited to that of a midfielder passer and builder of play than a destroyer.
Fofana’s character and maturity are also very important mental attributes that stand him out. “His exemplary attitude in training allows him to progress” Garde has said in praise of the player once coveted by Real Madrid. “I know I can count on him when I need him.”

Serge Aurier

(Toulouse FC, 20 years old)
Serge Aurier made his debut for Lens at just 16 and in a short space of time has already grown into one of the most exciting young players in Ligue 1. A marauding, swashbuckling full back, predominantly a right back but who can also deputise at left back, Aurier signed for Toulouse in January 2012 after spending half a season in Ligue 2 with Lens following their relegation in 2011.
Since joining TFC he has already established himself as one of their best players. His energy and strength down the right, both defensively and going forward, have added a new dimension to Alain Casanova’s side and the Ivorian has all the physical attributes required to succeed in the modern game. Quick, athletic and fearsome in the challenge, his performances have got better and better with experience and he is already being watched by several top European clubs, with Arsenal particularly keen.
The technical side of his game is extremely impressive; his performance at the Parc des Princes earlier this season springs to mind, when despite Toulouse’s 2-0 defeat Aurier looked every inch the type of player capable of playing for PSG, putting their own full backs Christophe Jallet and Maxwell to shame. Tactically he can still improve, but having just turned 20 Aurier is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Samuel Umtiti

(Olympique Lyonnais, 19 years old)
Samuel Umtiti only made his full debut for Lyon on the 8th January of this year, in the Coupe de France against lowly Lyon-Duchère. The Cameroon-born defender soon won Remi Garde’s confidence however, featuring increasingly regularly as part of Garde’s rebuilding at the fallen giants of OL and progressing enough to start the Coupe de la Ligue (League Cup) final against Marseille.
After an excellent campaign at the Under-19 European Championships in the summer, where Umtiti acted as vice captain behind Paul Pogba, the 19-year-old’s star continued to rise in 2012-13. Initially played at left back, injury to Dejan Lovren handed Umtiti his chance at the heart of defence and since November the teenager has since become a first team regular – so good in fact that up to December 12th of this season he was the best tackler in Ligue 1 according to statisticians Opta, with an 85% tackle success rate in 558 minutes of football.
Lyon’s presidential advisor Bernard Lacombe likens Umtiti to a young Eric Abidal and the academy graduate has certainly improved physically in recent months. He has become more combative and reliable in the tackle while maintaining the extremely encouraging technical qualities he possesses with the ball at his feet. Umtiti looks like yet another successful product of Lyon’s brilliant academy.

Romain Alessandrini

(Stade Rennais, 23 years old)
What makes Rennes’ summer signing Romain Alessandrini such an exciting, wonderful young player to watch? Let’s start with his array of truly brilliant goals. When it comes to hitting the back of the net Alessandrini has a penchant for the spectacular. His left foot is like a carving knife and paintbrush all in one, as capable of delicate finesse as it is thrashing a football with the force of a jackhammer.
Another impressive aspect of Alessandrini’s game is his decisiveness at key moments. Rennes have often been accused of being a bit lightweight mentally in the past, even by their own manager. This season however Frederic Antonetti’s side have shown themselves to be tougher and more resilient, and Alessandrini has played a big part in that.
The key goal to put them 2-1 up at Nancy, the opener at the Parc des Princes where they won 2-1 at PSG with 9 men, an 88th minute winner v Troyes in the Coupe de la Ligue quarter final; Alessandrini has stepped up at big moments of the season for Rennes since joining from Clermont Foot – an important characteristic of any great player. He’s not there yet, but the Marseille-born man is certainly turning heads.

Marco Verratti

(Paris Saint-Germain, 20 years old)

“The guy who has surprised me most since the start of the season is Marco Verratti. Although I played in Italy last season I’d never heard of him because he was playing in the second division. I agree with everything positive being said about him. In fact I would say he’s even better than people think.”
“In buying him PSG have made a very good investment. Verratti has an immense talent, now he just needs time to progress at his own pace. People shouldn’t forget he’s only just turned 20.”

As the man who once said Pep Guardiola had ‘no balls’, Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not do empty platitudes. So his words on Verratti above come as very high praise indeed. The Italian dazzled in the early part of the season; Ibra’s delight in the youngster’s pinpoint long and short range passing was often visible as he ran to embrace Verratti after getting on the end of one of his many passes. Thiago Motta’s return from injury has restricted Verratti’s gametime, but the former Pescara star has what it takes.
For more on Verratti see also: Champions League 2012-2013 players to watch.
(Honourable mentions: Adrien Rabiot, Florian Thauvin, Yassine Benzia, Fabrice N’Sakala)

Human traffic: Africa’s lost boys

(CNN) — It has been a starting point for some of the world’s top soccer players.

Charity Culture Foot Solidaire (CFS) works to prevent the trafficking of young African football players.

As youngsters, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka all played in the Mondial Montaigu youth tournament in France.
Known as “Mondial Minimes,” the 40-year-old competition is contested by under-16 national teams over Easter, with an event also held for club sides.
Leading French clubs Lorient, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Montpellier and St Etienne are all involved this year alongside another lesser-known name — Foot Solidaire.
Its a team that will showcase the very best of Africa’s talent, but which also aims to open young African players’ eyes to the risks of seeking their fortunes in Europe’s top leagues.
The team has been put together by Culture Foot Solidaire (CFS) — a Paris-based charity which campaigns against the dangers of the trafficking of young players by unscrupulous individuals; be they former players, businessmen, lawyers or unlicensed agents.
“I’ve heard a lot about less ethical agents bribing parents, and I have no doubt about the methods,” one agent, who asked not to be identified, told CNN.
“I know of agents using the parents’ ”money weapon’ (promising them untold riches), kind of ‘selling’ the player to an agent or organization.
“How many times was I offered that option? Not only agents though. An agent cannot do anything without a club at end of the line.”

Jean-Claude Mbvoumin

The movement of African players to Europe is long established.
European clubs generally regard African players as athletically and technically gifted. Arguably just as importantly, they are relatively cheap to develop, with the added potential that clubs can make a large profit if they are sold in the future.
For the players, the idea of becoming of a professional footballer in Europe holds the promise of a better life for themselves abroad and their families back home — if they are not discarded by clubs and left to fend for themselves.
Smuggling players
CFS’s founder is Cameroonian Jean-Claude Mbvoumin, who has already helped hundreds of youngsters return home after they were left stranded in Europe.
Often they have been brought to Europe on an illegal passport, frequently taken first to eastern Europe, where it is easier to arrange a visa before moving them on to Western countries.
Mbvoumin estimates each year as many as 700 youngsters leave Cameroon alone to seek a professional career.
But if the club doesn’t sign the player the youngster is left to his own devices as to how he returns to Africa.
“To bring young players to this tournament is a very good experience for them,” the 39-year-old Mbvoumin, who played for a number of lower league French clubs, told CNN, as he explained the reason behind entering in the Montaigu tournament.
“Very few can become professionals and our goal is to explain how hard to become is to do so. It’s important to dream, but they must realize how few players there are in the professional world.”
At one stage CFS was monitoring nearly 1,000 boys dumped in France.
It believes these youngsters were taken from hundreds of football academies in Africa — ones that don’t recognize basic child protection issues — by clubs desperate to unearth the next Yaya Toure, Michael Essien or Claude Makelele.
“When I brought players from Africa — either for trial or on a contract — I always faced a huge problem: visas,” added the anonymous agent, referring to players over the age of 18 rather than minors, as he detailed the complexities of such transfers.
“And I am talking of a period when things were easier, that is, 10 years ago.
“I visited consulates with players trying to get a visa — and I had to present the proper paperwork such as invitations and return tickets, etc. — otherwise the player’s application would not even be considered.”
However the agent said he did once manage “to smuggle” a player out of his home country Cameroon.
“He had already gotten a visa — the Italian consulate would only grant a tourist visit once a year — so I had to find a way to get him out again,” the agent said.
“Yaounde being a modern airport I decided to fly from Douala, where the lights at the airport were dimmer. It was an amazing experience because in order to get to the plane we passed through four security controls.
“The last one was at the plane’s door — and lights were stronger than in Yaounde — and I had made a ‘change’ on his stamped visa. We managed to pass this last obstacle anyway and the player made a reasonable career.”
Money, money
Foot Solidaire’s team for this year’s Montaigu tournament is made up from players from Cameroon. More than 500 players have been assessed since January, before their 25-man squad was selected.
Those players, who have been preparing for the tournament at a training camp in Nantes, came from as many as 100 training centers in Cameroon, which have all signed up to CFS’s objectives to protect the young players who are being trained.
Its charter is designed to provide the players with the best possible training environment, and it recognizes world governing body FIFA’s regulations as well as the United Nations Convention on Human Rights.
Mbvoumin estimates CFS is working with as many as 2,500 players — this on a miniscule budget of just over $100,000.
“We don’t have salaries and we rely on volunteers,” he said. “We have a very important network of partners and we rely on very small donations. But we need help — our organization has been in existence for 13 years.
“Football can just be business, business and money, money. People forget about education and the protection of young players — football should not be above the law.”
Mbvoumin recently featured in a documentary film called “Soka Afrika” that traced the journey of two African footballers — South Africa’s Kermit Romeo Erasmus and Cameroonian Julien Ndomo Sabo — as they attempt to fulfil their dreams of playing professional football in Europe.
At the age of 18, Erasmus signed a professional contract with Dutch club Feyenoord, though he is back now in South Africa with Supersport United, where he is the team’s captain.
Sabo was trafficked to Africa as teenager after he and his family were promised “riches beyond their imagination,” before he was abandoned in Paris.
“Ndomo has been a bit off the radar for the last few weeks,” said Sam Potter, managing director and chief executive officer of Masnomis, the production company behind the film.
“But following a series of injury setbacks he and (Spanish club) Deportivo La Coruna — where he eventually signed in 2010 — agreed to terminate his contract last year.
“He is still signed up with Octagon sports agency and they are hopeful of finding him another club in Europe for next season.”
Potter said Mbvoumin and CFS ” work tirelessly on a shoestring budget to provide support and education to vulnerable and exploited young African footballers”, despite a lack of interest and funding from the wider football community.
“I have had the privilege of working with Jean-Claude in the making of Soka Afrika and I would say that he is a genuine hero — working for little reward beyond his love of the game and, more importantly, his deep respect for the human rights of all men, women and children.”
Source: CNN

Top 10 Philanthropic Feats By African Footballers

VENTURES AFRICA – For many young kids in Africa, playing football is a childhood dream. Scoring the winning goal of a big game in a major competition; testing their skills alongside the finest players in the world and rubbing shoulders with other football icons but for many others, football is simply an escape route from some of Africa’s more impoverished economies. In such pragmatic cases, it is not rare to see such footballers returning to their roots and contributing to economic growth via poverty alleviation schemes, supporting charitable causes or simply investing in pro-people business enterprises.
In no particular order, here is a list of Africa’s top ten philanthropic football stars
Dider Drogba
The Ivorian skipper and talisman has enjoyed a stellar career but it admirable that his work off the field almost overshadows his work on it. The striker has spearheaded several humanitarian causes in his native Ivory Coast including the construction of a $3 million hospital in Abidjan. Through his Didier Drogba Foundation, Drogba is involved in a string of healthcare initiatives. Most admirably, Drogba donates all of his commercial endorsement income from world-class brands such as Nike and Pepsi to the Didier Drogba Foundation for distribution among all healthcare initiatives and charity projects. In the aftermath of leading Ivory Coast to qualification for a maiden appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Drogba rallied his countrymen and played a major role in ending five years of civil war.
Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o is famous for his astronomical wages and high profile status in football but beyond the image of a prima donna, Samuel Eto’o is leading the humanitarian charge all through West Africa . The Samuel Eto’o Foundation works with children in Western Africa with a three pronged approach that is inclusive of healthcare services, education and the promotion of social inclusion through sporting activities.
Salomon and Bonaventure Kalou
Many brothers dream of playing alongside each other but only a few are lucky enough to do. The Kalou brothers have played together for Ivory Coast and are also working hand in hand to run the Foundation Kalou which was established in 2009. The brothers have reportedly donated in excess of $600,000 to the foundation. Amongst other things, the foundation has masterminded the construction of a kidney dialysis centre in Boakye, Ivory Coast.
Emmanuel Eboue
The Galatasaray defender is another Ivorian with a big heart. The Ivorian right-back is popular in his country for supporting educational charities and more importantly raising funds to build schools, pay tuition and establish trust-funds to provide pupils with shoes, uniforms and books. Reports estimate that Eboue has raised about $200,000 to support education of young children in Ivory Coast.
Michael Essien
Ghana’s midfield man may have retired from international football to the dismay of many Ghanaians but his work in Ghana, especially his hometown Awutu Breku where The Michael Essien Foundation continues to provide and stimulate basic infrastructure development. The foundation has constructed multiple boreholes to provide residents with clean water and is also involved in healthcare projects especially in hygiene with the building of public toilets. The foundation also encourages education and aims to improve literacy levels with libraries provided for young and old people who cannot afford education. In honour of his mother, Essien also ensures that the Foundation teaches basic empowerment skills to women across Ghana.
Mohamed Aboutrika
Egypt and Al-Ahly striker has enjoyed a splendid career without playing in any of Europe’s big-money leagues but nonetheless, the forward has been part of multiple charitable causes and events In 2005, he played in a ‘Match Against Poverty’ with 40 other international stars to raise funds as part of a UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors programme. He remains a WSP Ambassador for Hunger and participate in various Public Service Announcement initiatives that draw attention to the problem hunger poses not just in Egypt but also in Africa.
Nwankwo Kanu
One of Africa’s most decorated players, Kanu Nwankwo’s fairytale story could easily have been different after Italian doctors diagnosed him with a heart defect while at Inter Milan. In the aftermath of his surgery and impressive recovery, the striker set up the Kanu Heart Foundation to provide Nigerian children with heart defects and problems with corrective surgery. Since its establishment in 2000, Kanu Heart Foundation has carried out a staggering 452 open heart surgeries with surgeries held in Israel, England and India. Not one to rest on his oars despite the spectacular success of the foundation, Kanu plans to raise $35 million dollars to build a 40 bed Cardiac Specialist Hospital in Nigeria.
Stephen Appiah
The former Ghana skipper has had a torrid time with injury which has limited the progress of his undoubted talent but Stephen’s humanitarian projects in Ghana continue to blossom. The midfielder launched an apparel business, proceeds of which go his StepApp foundation in Ghana. Stephen’s foundation focuses on providing health insurance and medical facilities from citizens who ordinarily find it unaffordable. Also with an interest in education, Stephen works with UNICEF to promote education in Africa.
Joseph Yobo
Yobo has represented Nigeria studiously at various levels since 1999 but more importantly, the Fenerbache defender has contributed massively to educational development in Southern Nigeria. His Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation has handed out over 300 educational scholarships to students from primary to tertiary levels and has also established a football academy that he hopes will, one day, produce the next Joseph Yobo.

The trials of young African footballers

Millions of young African boys dream of playing on the world stage, but many find themselves victims of fake agents.

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It is the dream of millions of young African footballers to play on a professional stage like their idols Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.

But many never make it.

After paying thousands of dollars to fake FIFA agents, they end up being dumped in foreign countries like Morocco to fend for themselves.

But now some of them are getting one last chance to turn professional.

Profile - Akinboye Akinpelu

 
Akinboye Akinpelu "Samuel" (born April 2,)^[2] is a Nigerian, Blogger, programmer, and also a Student. He acquired his National Diploma Certificate from Osun State Polytechnic Iree (2012). 
Akinpelu is one of the best-known blog writers in Nigeria especially with his most famous blog Schoolnews9ja . Akin has been criticized for his blog writing which have been considered anti-competitive, an opinion which has in some cases been upheld by his fans. In the later stages of his career, Pelumi wishes to become a Politician, this was discovered during the last interview he had back in school.