Africa is blessed with a lot of Football talents who are successful at top clubs in Europe. Most of these players originated from some of the best football Academies in Africa. But do you know which football academy is considered the best in Africa?
African Footballers are known to have great physical, technical, and tactical abilities. This is why they are sought after by European teams regularly. These clubs even launch their schools and also scout new talents regularly.
To digress a bit, it is important to note something. Before being drafted into a football academy, it is necessary to consider how to be a professional footballer and how to get a football scholarship online. Also, you can check out the best Football Academies in Europe.
Now, let’s find out the best football academy in Africa even though there are many academies.
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20 Best Football Academies in Africa
20. Diambars Football Academy
Location: Senegal
Notable graduates: El-Hadji Diouf, Ferdinand Coly, Habib Beye
Diambars Football Academy, founded by Bernard Lama, Jimmy Adjovi-Boco, and Patrick Vieira, has played a significant role in developing football talent in Senegal. The academy focuses not only on football skills but also on education, character development, and community involvement.
19. Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy
Location: South Africa
Notable graduates: Steven Pienaar, Thulani Serero, and Darren Keet
Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy is an extension of the renowned Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam. The academy has been instrumental in producing talented South African footballers who have gone on to play both domestically and internationally.
18. Wydad Casablanca Youth Academy
Location: Morocco
Notable graduates: Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saïss, Sofiane Boufal
Wydad Casablanca Youth Academy is one of the top football academies in Morocco. It has contributed significantly to the development of Moroccan football and has produced players who have made their mark in European leagues.
17. Aspire Academy
Location: Qatar (operating in Senegal)
Notable graduates: Keita Baldé and Ismaïla Sarr
Aspire Academy, originally based in Qatar, has extended its operations to Senegal to develop African football talent. The academy has been successful in nurturing players who have gone on to have successful careers in Europe.
16. Stellenbosch Football Club Academy
Location: South Africa
Notable graduates: Lebo Mothiba, Grant Margeman, and Ashley Du Preez
Stellenbosch Football Club Academy is dedicated to developing South African youth into professional footballers. The academy has a strong focus on providing quality coaching and education to its young talents.
15. Dikwena United Soccer Academy
Location: Botswana
Notable graduates: Mogakolodi Ngele, Lemogang Maswena, and Ofentse Nato
Dikwena United Soccer Academy is a prominent football academy in Botswana. It has been instrumental in nurturing local talent and providing opportunities for young Botswana footballers to pursue professional careers.
14. Diarra Football Academy
Location: Mali
Notable graduates: Seydou Keita, Momo Sissoko, and Adama Tamboura
Diarra Football Academy is known for producing some of Mali’s finest football talents. The academy focuses on developing young players’ skills and providing them with the necessary guidance to succeed in the football world.
13. ASEC Mimosas Academy
Location: Ivory Coast
Notable graduates: Emmanuel Eboué, Gervinho, and Didier Zokora
ASEC Mimosas Academy, affiliated with ASEC Mimosas, has been a significant contributor to Ivorian football. It has a rich history of producing players who have gone on to represent their national team and play in top European leagues.
12. City Stars Soccer Academy
Location: Kenya
Notable graduates: Michael Olunga, Clifton Miheso, and Musa Mohammed
City Stars Soccer Academy is a notable football academy in Kenya that has been instrumental in developing young talents for both domestic and international competitions. It has contributed to the growth of Kenyan football.
11. Al Ahly Youth Academy
Location: Egypt
Notable graduates: Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Hegazi, and Ramadan Sobhi
Al Ahly Youth Academy is one of the most prestigious football academies in Egypt and Africa. It has a strong track record of producing talented players who have gone on to achieve success in Egyptian and international football.
These academies, along with the ones you mentioned previously, collectively contribute to the development of football talent in Africa and beyond.
10. Right To Dream Football Academy
Location: Ghana
Notable graduates: Mohammed Abu, Bismark Adjei-Boateng, Razak Nuhu, Godsway Donyoh, Thomas Agyiri
The story of this academy started with just a few boys on a dust pitch in Accra. The Right To Dream Football Academy started operation formally in 1999 and has produced top players who are successful in Europe.
Right to Dream provides children with an opportunity to build a better life out of poverty. They also train female footballers to develop their talents and pursue a football career.
In addition, the academy is well known in West Africa and conducts its admission every two years. Players between the age of 15-20 are usually selected out of over 30,000 players.
Interestingly, the most promising players are chosen to study and train at the Right to Dream Football Academy on 100% scholarships. There is no doubt that it’s one of the best academies on the continent.
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9. Kadji Sport Academy
Location: Douala, Cameroon
Notable graduates: Samuel Eto’o, Stéphane Mbia, Benjamin Moukandjo, Aurélien Chedjou, and Idriss Carlos Kameni.
Kadji Sports Academy was founded by Joseph Kadji Defosso and the complex spans over nearly 40 hectares of land. It’s so wide and spacious that the entire right size accommodates over 10 training fields.
Moreover, the academy is equipped with good accommodations and talented coaches who excel at grooming star players.
Overall, this Football Institution is a good example of a successful training centre in Africa and the world. This is because of the numerous worldwide players who trained in the academy.
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8. Mimos Sifcom Academy
Location: Ivory Coast
Notable graduates: Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboué, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Didier Ya Konan, Kolo and Yaya Toure.
Mimos Sifcom Football Academy was created by Roger Ouégnin and Jean-Marc Guillou in 1993. The academy has established itself as a model academy by giving beautiful performances and positive results.
Furthermore, the Mimos Sifcom Academy was established as the training center of Asec Mimosas. It produced many soccer players who eventually played for the Ivorian National Football Team.
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7. Kwara Football Academy
Location: Kwara, Nigeria
Notable Graduate: Ahmed Abdul-Taofik
Kwara Football Academy was founded in 2005 as an initiative of the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
The goal was to target the skill development and professional training of young footballers. The academy has over seven experienced coaches who were all International football players.
Furthermore, the academy focuses on training youths between the ages of 13 – 21. Its primary aim is to make a professional career for its players and they have done so very well over the years.
KFA regularly hosts top football personalities within Nigeria and outside the continent and this gives room for better exposure.
Personalities such as Jose Mourinho, former CAF President Issa Hayatou, and other football scouts across the world.
For more details, you can learn more about other Football Academies in Nigeria.
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6. Katumbi Football Academy
Location: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Notable graduates: Arsène Zola and Glody Likonza
This is the most developed training centre for Congolese young players. The training centre has been part of the long-term strategy of the Congolese TP Mazembe team.
Moreover, the academy provides quality training conditions with rich programs that cover all age categories. It prepares players to join either the Mazembe team or clubs inside and outside of the country.
The Katumbi Football Academy is good at showing great talents just like the memorable 8th edition of the Francophonie games at Abidjan 2017.
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5. Mohammed VI Academy
Location: Morocco
This Academy is a Moroccan football training centre that was founded in 2008 by King Mohammed VI.
The academy’s main focus is to serve as a national model for football training and their goal is to train students in the “profession” of football. In addition, it is their aim to produce players of international quality.
Furthermore, Mohammed VI Academy accepts the best players from different social categories in the country. Its student capacity is over 800 and focuses on 6-12-year-olds.
This potentially solved the problem of professional football in Morocco – which lacked depth at some point.
4. Generation Foot Academy
Location: Senegal
Notable graduates: Sadio Mane and Diafra Sakho
Generation Foot Academy has become a great development and professional training centre in Senegal. Without a doubt, it is one of the Best Football Academies in Africa.
Intriguingly, the academy managed to achieve this within the shortest of time.
There is a partnership between the French Ligue 1 side, FC Metzis, and GFA since 2000. Through this partnership, many talents developed at the centre and earned international recognition.
Their players also participate in different international competitions within and outside the African continent.
It is noteworthy to know that the academy encourages youngsters from the ages of 6-18 years and nurtures them into amazing players.
3. Ligi Ndogo Academy
Location: Kenya
Notable graduates: John Guidetti and Ayub Masika.
The Ligi Ndogo Academy is the most famous football school in Kenya. Established in 2002, the club trains and prepares Kenyan talents for a football career.
In addition, the academy provides a suitable environment for young players to develop their skills. Using a well-developed learning curriculum, students learn soccer skills, discipline, team spirit, and leadership.
Ligi Ndogo Academy has teams that take part in various national and international tournaments. These teams are as listed: Toms (4-6 years), Juniors (7-9 years), Lower Mids (10-12), Upper Mids (13-14 years), and Under-19 years.
2. West African Football Academy
Location: Ghana
Notable graduates: Mohammed Abubakari
West African Football Academy is the largest football academy in Ghana. It was founded by Feyenoord Club from Rotterdam. It’s also a Ghanaian sporting club that plays in the Ghana Premier League.
The Chief of Fetteh gave Feyenoord’s president, Jorien van den Herik permission to set up the academy.
It is important to note that the Dutch Club currently funds the West African Football Academy.
Overall, WAFA FC offers blended coaching methods to its students. The main aim of Feyenoord was to develop football skills and formal education for young interested individuals.
1. PEPSI Football Academy
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Notable graduates: John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, Echiabhi Okodugha, Joseph Akpala
The Pepsi Football Academy was launched by Kashimawo Laloko. It later received the official support of the Pepsi Company in 1994 and this change rebranded the academy to the Pepsi Football Academy.
Many Nigerian top players originated from the Pepsi Football Academy. Their training facilities are top-notch, hence making it one of the best football Academies in Africa.
In fact, many scouts believe that Pepsi Football Academy is the best in Africa.
Other Notable Football Academies in Africa
- Diambers FC (Senegal)
- Barcelona Football Academy (Nigeria)
- Chelsea Football Academy (Nigeria)
- Papilo Football Academy (Nigeria)
- Abuja College of Football (Nigeria)
- Siaone Soccer Academy (Nigeria)
- Little Tigers FC (Nigeria)
- Accra Lions Club (Ghana)
- Dreams Football Club Academy (Ghana)
- Midas Football Academy (Nigeria)
- Tima Football Club (Ghana)
- Royal Awudu Issaka Soccer Academy, RAISA (Ghana)
- Pan Africa Soccer Academy (Ghana)
Conclusion
Arguably, the best football academy in Africa is Pepsi Football Academy as it has produced so many stars John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie and many others.
Football academies in Africa are quite good places to train yourself or your kids. Many European teams recruit players from the best football academies in Africa.
Therefore, it is vital to enrol your kids in soccer academies. It will help them learn the different aspects of football at a tender age. Football has a lot of opportunities, it’s healthy and rewarding.
In addition, it is wise to get them a coach who can recommend the best available choices for you.
Luckily, some of the best football agents and scouts visit these Academies regularly. So, you don’t know who might be watching you.
Give it a shot and, based on your criteria, enrol at the best football academy in Africa today.
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My name is Jjuuko Jovan from Uganda. I love football and am a player I play as a goalkeeper I love it am17 years old I would like to be an international footballer but I need support because I have the talent , goalkeepers who inspires me Édouard Mendy ,Andre Onana thank you so much