The Future of African Football: What Needs to Change — Part 1

The Talent Pipeline Problem & Player Development

African football has talent in abundance. I’ve seen it firsthand through HC Talent, where I’ve managed players like Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Gideon Mensah, and Abdul Mumin. But talent alone isn’t enough. Without proper structure, even the most gifted players struggle when they move abroad.

The problem isn’t ability — it’s preparation. Too many young African players arrive in Europe without a solid tactical foundation. They can dribble, they can run, but when placed in a structured system, they struggle with positioning, decision-making, and game intelligence. Clubs won’t wait for them to adjust — if they don’t deliver immediately, they’re benched or sent out on loan.

Why African Players Struggle Abroad

In Europe, players are developed through structured academies and competitive youth leagues. By 18, they have years of tactical education. In Africa, most players rely on raw talent and informal training. When they move abroad, they find themselves lost in highly organized systems, unable to adapt fast enough.

I’ve personally seen talented players dominate in Ghana but struggle in Europe because they were never taught the tactical side of the game. If we want to produce world-class footballers, we need to fix this.

Coaching: The Missing Piece

One of the biggest gaps in African football is coaching. Too many youth coaches focus on winning matches instead of developing players. They don’t teach pressing structures, positional play, or modern tactics. This is why African players often take longer to settle in Europe — they weren’t trained for the level of detail required.

Better coaching means better players. We must invest in training our coaches to European standards.

No Clear Development Path

Another major issue is the lack of structured youth leagues. In Europe, players progress through U12, U15, and U18 systems before breaking into the first team. In Africa, many players jump straight into senior football or move abroad too soon, skipping key development stages.

Without proper youth leagues, our players aren’t getting the competition they need to grow. We need structured, high-level youth leagues to prepare players properly before they turn professional.

What Needs to Change?

To truly compete, African football needs:

1.⁠ ⁠Better coaching — Train youth coaches in modern tactics and player development.

2.⁠ ⁠Structured youth leagues — Give young players regular, high-quality competition.

3.⁠ ⁠Smarter career guidance — Ensure players move abroad at the right time, not just for quick transfers.

If we fix our development system, Africa won’t just produce talent — we’ll produce champions.

Final Thoughts

I’ve worked with some of Ghana’s best talents, and I know the potential is there. But potential means nothing without structure. If we want African football to thrive, we need to invest in development, not just celebrate raw talent.

In Part 2, I’ll break down why African clubs and leagues struggle financially and how we can fix it. Stay tuned.

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About The Author

Kwasi Siaw is the Director of HC Talent, a UK-registered sports and talent management agency, also registered in Ghana, that has facilitated major transfers, including Kamaldeen Sulemana’s move from Rennes to Southampton, Ernest Nuamah’s transfer to Lyon, and the career development of players like Gideon Mensah and Abdul Mumin. With deep experience in African football and player management, he is committed to reshaping the industry through structured development, better talent management, and strategic investment. He is also the founder of The Stayter Foundation, which empowers young athletes through education and career opportunities. As he continues to build the next generation of African football, his focus is on ensuring that talent is not just discovered, but nurtured into long-term success.