Euro 2024 and African Heritage: Celebrating Achievements and Addressing Challenges

By James Woods*

Euro 2024 final saw Spain gain a 2-1 victory over England but beyond this the tournament highlighted a somewhat remarkable contribution of players with African heritage. The final saw the Spaniard Nico Williams, of Ghanaian descent score a decisive goal that opened the scoring in the second half. Having just turned 17 years old, Lamine Yamal, of Moroccan and Equatoguinean heritage, became the youngest player (at 16 years old) to ever participate in the Euros and was named Young Player of the Tournament​. England’s Bukayo Saka and Marc Guehi, with Nigerian and Ivorian heritage respectively, played pivotal roles throughout the tournament.

Players with African Heritage (through parents or birth) in Euro 2024

Belgium:

• Romelu Lukaku: DR Congo
• Jeremy Doku: Ghana
• Youri Tielemans: DR Congo
• Orel Mangala: DR Congo
• Amadou Onana: Senegal
• Johan Bakayoko: Ivory Coast
• Dodi Lukebakio: DR Congo
• Lois Openda: Morocco, DR Congo

France:

• Kylian Mbappe: Cameroon, Algeria
• Jules Kounde: Benin
• N'Golo Kante: Mali
• Eduardo Camavinga: Angola
• Ibrahima Konate: Mali
• Aurelian Tchouameni: Cameroon
• Ferland Mendy: Senegal
• William Saliba: Cameroon
• Dayot Upamecano: Guinea-Bissau
• Youssouf Fofana: Mali
• Ousmane Dembélé: Mauritania, Mali, Senegal
• Randal Kolo Muani: DR Congo

England:

• Bukayo Saka: Nigeria
• Marc Guehi: Ivory Coast
• Ezri Konsa: DR Congo, Angola
• Eberechi Eze: Nigeria
• Kobbie Mainoo: Ghana

Germany:

• Antonio Rudiger: Sierra Leone
• Jamal Musiala: Nigeria
• Jonathan Tah: Ivory Coast
• Leroy Sane: Senegal

Netherlands:

• Memphis Depay: Ghana
• Nathan Ake: Ivory Coast
• Jeremie Frimpong: Ghana
• Cody Gakpo: Togo and Ghana

Portugal:

• Danilo Pereira: Guinea-Bissau
• Nuno Mendes: Angola

Spain:

• Lamine Yamal: Morocco, Equatorial Guinea
• Nico Williams: Ghana

Switzerland:

• Breel Embolo: Cameroon
• Manuel Akanji: Nigeria
• Denis Zakaria: DR Congo, South Sudan
• Dan Ndoye: Senegal

These players, while celebrated in Europe, and we must not forget are European nationals but nevertheless it draws attention to the critical issues facing football development in Africa. Despite the continent’s rich football talent, many African countries face significant challenges in nurturing this talent due to inadequate infrastructure, governance issues, and financial constraints.

Challenges Facing African Football Development

Inadequate Infrastructure: The quality and accessibility of football facilities in many African countries remain a significant issue. Many young talents lack access to quality training fields, professional coaching, and essential resources that are readily available to their European counterparts. This lack of infrastructure hampers their development and limits their potential.

Governance and Corruption: Governance issues and corruption within football associations and governing bodies in Africa have eroded public trust and hindered the growth of the sport. Transparency and accountability are crucial for ensuring that funds are used effectively and reach the grassroots levels where they are most needed.

Financial Constraints: Financial limitations are a significant barrier to the development of football in Africa. Many clubs and leagues struggle with inadequate funding, which affects player remuneration, club operations, and the development of necessary infrastructure.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

Investment in Infrastructure: The African football landscape can be transformed with substantial investment in infrastructure. Building state-of-the-art stadiums, training facilities, and transportation systems can significantly improve the conditions for players and enhance the overall fan experience.

Youth Development Programs: Focused investment in youth academies and player development programmes can help nurture young talent and provide them with opportunities to succeed. Initiatives like the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana demonstrate the success that can be achieved with structured investment and support. Mohammed Kudus is a graduate of Right to Dream Academy and is a fully fledged Ghanaian international currently playing for Premier League side West Ham United.

International Collaborations: Collaboration with international football organisations like FIFA and UEFA can facilitate knowledge exchange, funding, and support for football development in Africa. These partnerships can help address the infrastructure and governance issues that hinder growth. In actual fact, last year, I led an initiative in Malawi focused on sports and development, which included a significant collaboration with professional Spanish Club Deportivo Leganés of La Liga. This partnership featured the 'Malawi, The Warm Heart of Africa' logo on the club's jerseys, promoting Malawi as a tourism destination while supporting our efforts to empower youth through sports. More needs to be done.

Leveraging Media and Sponsorship: Increasing interest in African football can attract more sponsorship deals, advertising revenue, and media rights agreements. These financial streams can help clubs and leagues achieve financial sustainability and invest in crucial areas like player development and infrastructure.

Entities Investing in African Football

Despite these challenges, there are significant opportunities for growth and development. Various entities are already investing in African football, providing hope for the future.

Right to Dream Academy as already mentioned has a great academy model and demonstrates the impact of structured investment in youth development; African Football Development Fund (AFDF): This fund aims to bridge the infrastructure gap by investing in football facilities, academies, and training programs across the continent; Helios Investment Partners has recognised the potential in African sports development and has invested in various sectors to enhance the continent’s visibility and infrastructure; FIFA and CAF Initiatives have committed to mobilising USD 1 billion to build and upgrade football stadiums across Africa. This initiative aims to improve infrastructure and create sustainable investments in African football; Club Partnerships numerous European elite clubs have have formed partnerships with African academies to scout and nurture young talent, providing pathways for African players to enter top-tier football environments; Rainbow Sports Global is transforming African football through initiatives like the African Football Data Centre (AFDC), which provides comprehensive data on club performance, player market values, and social media metrics. They operate across multiple African countries, focusing on holistic player development and showcasing young talents to international scouts. Their approach aims to professionalize African football and uncover future stars by investing in both athletic and personal growth​.

While Euro 2024 showcased the immense talent of players with African roots, it also highlighted the need for substantial investment in football infrastructure across Africa. By addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities, Africa can nurture the next generation of home grown football stars, ensuring they have the opportunities to shine both at home and on the global stage.

*James Woods is a football expert, Malawi FIFA Agent and football business owner; he is also former diplomat with a commendable record of service for Malawi in various European nations, including Belgium, Andorra, France, the Principality of Monaco, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, and the European Union. James is completing an MBA at the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School where he is deepening his knowledge in business leadership and management. He is also an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow.