Roc Nation Sports International has revealed big plans for the African football market with Ghana and South Africa earmarked as key markets in their expansion plan to the African continent.
Roc Nation’s expansion plan includes consideration to start an academy in Ghana, with the Western Africa as a central point to their wider African strategy.
Roc Nation boosts the likes of Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City, Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal, Vinicius Junior and Endrick of Real Madrid on their books, and now looking to add some African gems to the list.
The internationally-renowned talent management agency is widely reported to have already snapped up Cape Town City’s Emile Witbooi and Kaizer Chiefs development forward Neo Bohloko, in addition to Luphumlo Sifumba who already signed with the agency in June 2022.
Global director of football at Roc Nation sports International, Nathan Campbell highlighted their plans to unearth African talent with a view of moving players to big European clubs.
“Our key strategy is to sign five or six of the best young players in Europe each year, in Brazil now, the USA and now Africa, and one or two established football stars,” Campbell told the media in Cape Town
“The continent of Africa is rich in football talent. We have done some soft touch stuff, but now we are looking to really ramp that up and looking to drive it forward.
“What is key when we’re looking at the South African market is the attribute to be able to also transition to Europe. Our key goal is to move players to Europe.
“There is an abundance of talent here and with our network and support, and the support we can give them off the pitch, we think they have potential to be able to transition.
“The continent is rich with talent. We have seen agencies have tried to do it, and some have done it to a good level. But it becomes transactional to them.
“We don’t just want to be a transactional agency. When we take the talent out of communities, we want to give back in some way.”
A worry for Roc Nation should the number of South African players playing in top European leagues, which has dwindled in recent years mainly because players see no point in going to Europe as they get paid a lot more money here at home than they would be paid in Europe but Roc Nation is adamant that they have a formula to change this trend.
Michael Yormark, the president of Roc Nation Sports International, believes Roc Nation’s approach will inspire players to want to play on big stages.
“This is not about commissions and transfer fees. It’s about impacting the lives of these kids, giving them hope to develop a career in the sport, and ultimately allow them to move on to Europe and have great journeys,” Yormark added.
“We want to support them on and off the pitch, supporting the people that are part of their sphere of influence, their families. Roc Nation is a family and everyone we sign we welcome into our family.
“We want to inspire them, encourage them and do whatever we possibly can to achieve their goals and objectives. They want to play on the biggest stage and our goal is to take them there.”
Written by: Diski Voice
