Football academies are rapidly growing and expanding in Africa as more clubs and independent charity organizations work to nurture youth talent locally.
The primary aim of the organizations is to give young players with potential a chance to hone and sharpen their skills before making the big leap into professional elite football.
Here are ten best football academies in Africa renowned for producing world-class talents.
1. Al Ahly FC Academy – Egypt
Al Ahly Football Academy discovers, develops and channels talents to supplement the Al Ahly youth and senior teams.
As one of the most decorated football teams on the planet with 24 trophies, joining the football academy is expensive and costs 3,000 LE for an annual subscription.
Young players are taught the art of football, game tactics and laws, which help them develop as well-rounded players.
Home to over 10,000 aspiring footballers, Al Ahly FC Academy accepts children ages 4 to 14 years and instils holistic and cultural aspects to their lives as part of their training.
2. Right to Dream Academy – Ghana
Right to Dream Academy, located in Old Akrade near Akosombo, is one of the best football academies in Ghana.
Ghana is an African Football powerhouse and a force to reckon with in global and continental football, with the Black Stars having made it to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup finals.
A key ingredient for its footballing success is owing to its impressive, reputable football academies that produce some of the greatest talents in Africa.
Committed to developing the next generation of Ghanaian footballers, the Academy is open to children from 6 to 18 years old.
The Academy’s mission aims to improve the lives of impoverished children by giving them an alternative source of hope and does not charge academy fees to such groups.
Moreover, some of the most notable Right to Dream Academy products include West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
3. Kadji Sports Academy
Kadji Sports Academy is among the most notable sports academies on the continent.
The Cameroonian-based outfit has produced some of the continent’s best talents, including world-class players like Samuel Eto’o, Benjamin Moukandjo, Aurelien Chedjou, Stephen Mbia, and Carlos Kameni.
The football academy has strong ties with main top-tier European clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, and players who excel have a clear path to attaining stardom at the elite levels of football.
4. Midas Football Academy – Nigeria
Founded in 2006, Midas Football Academy is arguably the best football academy in Africa today.
The Nigerian-based talent academy aims to develop young potential stars into professional footballers who will rise to the highest levels.
Midas Football Academy charges NGN 77,000 annually for a fully-fledged season to train and become a part of the ranks in its team reserves.
The Academy admits children between 6 and 18 years old, offering them an opportunity to improve their lives.
5. Mohammed VI Academy – Morocco
With its founding dating back to 2008, the Mohammed VI Football Academy based in Morocco was officially inaugurated by King Mohammed VI in 2009.
Most Atlas Lions players owe their roots to the prestigious football academy hosting some world-class sporting facilities.
The football academy is a 140 million dirham investment financed by the government and hosts children from 12 to 18.
The football academy was created as a model hub to produce the next generation of Morocco’s footballers at the underfunded grassroots level.
Young players are not required to pay fees for enrolment at the academies, and it has produced some of its famed talents.
They include Sevilla forward Youseff El-Nesyri, Nayef Aguerd and Azzedine Onuaom, who were integral in Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.
6. Katumbi Football Academy – DR Congo
The Congolese national team is among the most successful sub-Saharan football national teams, having won two AFCON titles and featuring in a maiden World Cup.
The fete has also been replicated at the club level with teams such as Tp Mazembe featuring in the CAF Champions League.
Katumbi Football Academy regularly channels players to the TP Mazembe senior and national team reserves.
As a centre hub for nurturing young talents, Katumbi Academy prodigies Arsene Zola and Glody Likonza are among those who have made it mainstream.
Players from the academy have been instrumental in the success of TP Mazembe and the Congolese national team, The Leopards.
7. Ligi Ndogo Academy – Kenya
Ligi Ndogo Football Academy in Kenya is among Africa’s well-renowned football schools.
Founded in 2002, the Kenyan-based football academy nurtures some of the best talents in the country, who later ply their trade abroad.
The Academy instils soccer skills, discipline, team spirit, and leadership skills in young footballers and charges Kshs.16,000 per month or Kshs.1,500 per session.
Some of the best Ligi Ndogo Academy products include well-established Swedish International John Guidetti and Ayub Masika.
8. Pepsi Football Academy – Nigeria
Pepsi Football Academy has been among Africa’s oldest and most established football academies since 1994.
Founder Kashimawo Laloko partnered with Pepsi Company to sponsor and support the incentive, making the enrolment one of the most competitive.
The Academy is renowned for grooming and producing some of the best players on the continent, including Chelsea legends John Obi-Mikel, Osaze Odemwingie, Echiabhi Okudugha, and Joseph Akpala.
The Academy boasts over 14 training centres in Nigeria, with its headquarters in Lagos state.
Boasting licensed coaches, the Academy accepts kids from 6 to 18 years and charges N 6,000 to N 12,000 per annum, depending on age.
9. West Africa Football Academy – Ghana
West African Football Academy is among the satellite grassroots academies for the Dutch football club Feyenoord.
As the largest football academy in Ghana, it recruits players between the ages of 13 and 21. West Africa Football Academy has produced great talents, such as Mohammed Abubakari.
Through charities, donors and non-governmental organizations, the football academy allows children from impoverished backgrounds to apply and enrol at stipulated periods.
10. Football Academy Plus – South Africa
Football Academy Plus is among the best football academies in South Africa.
The relatively new Football Academy Plus started in 2018 and is geared towards bridging the gap between grassroots and professional football.
Once enrolled at a fee of R 1650 in the Academy, players will enjoy interacting and interacting with UEFA-qualified coaches and technicians with an outstanding track record of developing players.
The Academy started in Cape Town with branches in Johannesburg, Polokwane, Lesotho, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg. It trains children between the ages of 10 and 19.
Have your say
Have you visited any of the best football academies in Africa and checked out their facilities? Or is there an academy that you’d love to see on this list? Let us know in the comments.
