Why do top-flight football clubs in Africa struggle to sell players directly to top European teams, particularly in the top five leagues?
By Tuka Letura
In 1985, Kalusha Bwalya, an eventual 1996 FIFA World Best nominee made his move from Mufulira Wanderers in Zambia to Cercle Brugge in Belgium. Three years later in 1988, Ballon D’or winner and former Liberian President, George Weah, moved from signing for Cameroonian Premier League club, Tonnerre Yaoundé, to AS Monaco in France.
At the time of his €12,000 transfer, Weah was 21 years old and had already won the Liberian league title with Invincible Eleven. In 1990, Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini made his way from Africa Sports of Côte D’Ivoire to Vitória Setúbal in Portugal. Finally, Nwankwo Kanu, transferred from Iwuanyanwu Nationale in Nigeria to Ajax in the Netherlands in 1993.
The pattern here highlights the direct connection between major European clubs and their competitive counterparts across the African continent. These player transfers between both continents showed a growing pattern in the 70s, 80s, and 90s: major European clubs were scouting and signing players from Africa’s most competitive clubs and top flight leagues.
Recently, we’ve witnessed a decline in direct transfers from top-flight African clubs to top European teams, even though African players continue to make moves to Europe. More frequently, these moves occur through independent academies, which sell players directly to the youth setups or first teams of major European clubs, bypassing top-flight teams on the continent.
A prime example of this trend is Sekou Koné, a graduate of JMG Academy, who played for Bamako-based Guidars in Mali’s second division, Championnat Régional – Deuxième Division, before moving to Manchester United in the summer of 2024. Despite not playing for a top-flight team in Mali, his move shows how European clubs are increasingly scouting talent from academies and lower-tier African clubs rather than elite teams.
Another example is Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who joined Inter Milan from Beyond Limits Academy, the youth setup of Nigerian top-flight club Remo Stars. Currently on loan at Sampdoria in Italy’s second division, Akinsanmiro has already made appearances for Inter Milan, further illustrating this growing trend.
Alternatively, some top-flight African clubs do manage to sell players, but these instances remain rare. In such cases, it is often the academies associated with these top-flight clubs that facilitate the transfer of players to prominent European sides, rather than the clubs themselves directly negotiating these high-profile moves. In other cases, transfers are made to clubs on the lower rungs of European football, where the transfer fees are almost negligible.
This brings up a crucial question: why do top-flight football clubs in Africa struggle to sell players directly to top European teams, particularly in the top five leagues? Why do these transfers now seem to happen primarily through academies, bypassing the established clubs on the continent?
While scouting systems have become more sophisticated, they are not necessarily AI-driven. Instead, they rely heavily on comprehensive data collection and scouting networks that allow European clubs to track potential talent from a young age. Clubs now have access to detailed performance data, video analysis, and scouting reports, which make it easier to identify players with high potential before they even reach the top-flight leagues in Africa.
The evolution of scouting technology means that European scouts can monitor players in youth setups, academies, and regional tournaments. This allows them to follow the development of these players closely, eliminating the need for them to first prove themselves at the top-flight level in Africa.
In addition, academies in Africa, like Right to Dream and FC Ebedei, have taken on a larger role in shaping young talent for European clubs. These academies, responsible for developing players such as Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Paul Onuachu, and Frank Onyeka, have become direct pipelines to Europe. Their focus on preparing players both physically and mentally for European football has made them attractive sources of talent, further reducing the reliance on African top-flight clubs as stepping stones for transfers.
It’s important to remember that football is a business, and with business comes the need to take and manage risks. When clubs sign young players from academies, they have the opportunity to shape them into the players they envision, as these younger talents are more adaptable and can be moulded.
This contrasts with established players in senior teams of top-tier clubs, who have typically completed their development and are already set in their ways. As a result, these established players often come with a higher price tag, especially since football development in Africa is still evolving. While there are exceptions, such cases remain few and far between.
There’s also the need to balance ability and return on investment when signing a player. In many parts of the world, the expectation is that a player will deliver at a certain level, meeting the expectations set by the buying club.
When a player in their mid or late 20s is signed—often the typical age range of players from top-flight African clubs’ senior sides—they are expected to perform at a high level immediately. If they don’t, the club may look to sell them, ideally at a profit. However, when clubs sign players from top-tier African teams, they are often not the best talents available, leading to financial losses if they fail to deliver.
Brighton & Hove Albion signed 24-year-old Percy Tau from Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018, but that transfer didn’t end well for either party. After three years and several loan spells across European clubs, Tau only managed six appearances for Brighton, providing just one assist. In 2021, after multiple attempts to integrate him into the team, he was sold to Al Ahly in Egypt, bringing an end to a disappointing chapter for both player and club.
On the other hand, when younger talents are signed, clubs have the opportunity to mould them into the type of player they need. If this development proves successful, the players can be sold for a profit. A prime example is Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye, who was signed in 2008 by Lille OSC in France from Diambars FC in Senegal on a free transfer. He was eventually sold to Aston Villa seven years later for €9.5 million, yielding a massive profit.
This practice isn’t new at all. A similar case can be seen with Samuel Eto’o, who was signed by Real Madrid from Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon. After a series of loan spells that helped shape him into the player he eventually became, he was sold to Mallorca in 1999 for €7.2 million, four years after his transfer. Eto’o later went on to play for top clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan.
What Do African Teams Miss Out on by Not Dealing Directly with European Clubs?
African teams miss out on several crucial benefits by not engaging directly with European clubs, particularly in terms of financial gain. First-team players from top-flight clubs in countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Algeria could generate substantial revenue if transfers were conducted directly between African teams and European clubs.
By bypassing intermediaries, these teams could negotiate better transfer fees and retain a larger share of the profits, providing a significant financial boost to their operations. This direct engagement would not only enhance the financial stability of the clubs but also foster growth and development in football across the continent.
Furthermore, it could lead to increased investment in local academies and infrastructure, ultimately improving the quality of talent emerging from Africa. Embracing direct dealings with European clubs could transform the landscape of African football, unlocking new opportunities for clubs and players alike.
With the potential benefits of direct dealings with European clubs laid out, it’s crucial for African teams to take proactive steps to improve their chances of securing substantial transfer fees. By implementing strategic measures, they can position themselves to engage more effectively with major European clubs and reap the rewards of higher transfer income.
Establishing connections with scouts and agents in Europe will create pathways for players to be noticed and signed by top clubs. By fostering these relationships, clubs can enhance their visibility in the European market.
So will investing in youth academies and training facilities essential for development of top-tier talent. By prioritising player development, clubs can produce highly skilled athletes who not only attract interest from major European clubs but leave the teams football ability floor high. This commitment to nurturing young talent will ensure a steady pipeline of players ready for international and continental competition as well.
Establishing partnerships with European clubs can facilitate direct transfers by enabling resource sharing and scouting collaboration, allowing African clubs to send players directly to established teams. Additionally, enhancing the visibility of African leagues through media partnerships and broadcasting rights is crucial for attracting European scouts. Promoting matches, showcasing player performances, and highlighting success stories will generate interest from clubs seeking to invest in new talent.
Building a strong brand around the club is essential for attracting European interest. This involves actively promoting the club’s successes, history, and the quality of its players to create a marketable image that appeals to potential buyers.
A well-regarded brand can significantly enhance a club’s attractiveness to European teams seeking new talent, making it crucial for African clubs to invest in their public perception and reputation.
At present, however, only a handful of clubs prioritise branding, with the situation being particularly dire in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, only Tanzania and South Africa appear to be intentional about cultivating their brands, which hampers the potential for attracting European interest and investment in their football talent.
By implementing these strategies, African teams can enhance their chances of negotiating directly with European clubs, leading to higher transfer fees and greater financial stability. While they may currently receive fees for players moving to teams outside the top leagues in Europe, focusing on attracting interest from bigger sides will ultimately benefit their operations and contribute to the growth of football on the continent.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over five years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.