Growing influence and a chance to make the most

In recent years several of the world’s greatest footballers have emerged from West Africa. Led by Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, a growing band of players have begun to take over the Premiership, La Liga and Serie A. When the African Cup of Nations kicks off in Ghana next January Chelsea, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Inter Milan will all feel the effects as several of their stars are taken away for one month.

Despite the growing influence of these players, there is a worrying lack of regard for the source of the talent. When the bigger clubs do look to Africa it is usually because it is productive for them to do so – players with strong potential can be sourced more cheaply and profiles can be opened up to new markets. Benefit is rarely transferred to the grassroots and very little investment is made in the infastructure which will allow further talent to flourish. The Keta Sandlanders hope to redress this balance by placing emphasis on grassroots African football. Through the site, the Sandlanders intend to establish the conditions in which they will be able to operate and progress, allowing players to make the most of their potential.

Ghanaian players have been at the forefront of Africa’s footballing invasion: Essien, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan and John Mensah amongst others command multi-million pound fees and in Dede Ayew of Marseille and Freddy Adu of Benfica, two of the world’s most exciting youngsters are Ghanaian born.

National Success

In the World Cup of 2006 Ghana qualified from a difficult group (featuring Italy, Czech Republic and the USA) before suffering a credible second-round defeat to Brazil – evidence that Ghana now has a team of players genuinely competeitive at the highest level. The Black Starlets (Ghana’s under-17 side) have since earned revenge over the Brazilians, beating them to proceed to the quarter finals of the under-17 World Cup, illustrating again the depth of talent which continues to move up through the national side. The 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana gave football a further opportunity to move forward – new stadiums were built and the eyes of a continent were on the country. It is important to make the most of this raised profile and to develop football from the bottom upwards to ensure that young players are allowed to progress as far as their potential allows.

Ghana’s football clubs

Despite the growing influence of Ghana and its players noted above, domestic Ghanaian football - a breeding ground for the talent which will later move across to Europe – has a disappointingly low profile.

Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko are Ghana’s two most successful sides, old rivals and both past African champions. The clubs have large fan bases and a grand tradition (formed in 1911 and 1935 respectively). Today, these traditional powerhouses have been joined by the likes of Ashanti Gold (supported by AngloGold, owner of Ghana’s most productive gold producing areas), King Faisal Babes (sponsored by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) and Liberty Professionals (the club where both Essien and Muntari began their careers).

Each of these teams and those lower down the table and lower down the divisions all share the fanatical following of the Ghanaian public. As elsewhere in the world, the public follow the twists and turns of league results and the transfer market and the country grinds to a halt for national fixtures. Despite organisational difficulties (which could be remedied by careful management and more consistent funding and attention), support is sustained because there is a continuous production line of fine young players who maintain the standard of football played.

A professional approach

Of these clubs the Liberty Professionals, formed in only 1996, are perhaps the most progressive. The club is a perfect example of how in Ghanaian football results can be achieved quickly and effectively when a professional approach is taken to club management. Liberty Professionals aim to run the club along the lines of clubs in Europe and Asia. Management structures are simple and transparent and their approach has been to build the club from its foundations – they have a strong youth system and now an academy is in place which will aim to unearth the next Essien or Muntari. There is an emphasis on marketing the club which is missing from many other African sides, often due to a simple lack of resources, and the Sandlanders hope to take this idea forward.