Many of Africa's best players were shaped by academies that combine football training with education. These are some of the most influential.
ASEC Mimosas Academy (Ivory Coast)
Set up in Abidjan in the 1990s with French coach Jean-Marc Guillou, the ASEC academy produced a remarkable generation that included Kolo and Yaya Touré, Emmanuel Eboué, Didier Zokora and Gervinho. Its players helped Ivory Coast become one of Africa's strongest teams in the 2000s.
Right to Dream (Ghana)
Founded in Ghana around the turn of the millennium, Right to Dream combines a boarding school education with elite training. Its owners later bought FC Nordsjælland in Denmark, giving graduates a direct path to European football. Mohammed Kudus is among its best-known graduates.
Diambars (Senegal)
Co-founded by former France captain Patrick Vieira and partners in Saly, Diambars uses football as a way to keep young people in education. Idrissa Gueye is one of its notable graduates.
Génération Foot (Senegal)
This Dakar academy, linked with French club FC Metz, launched the careers of Sadio Mané and many other Senegalese internationals.
Mohammed VI Football Academy (Morocco)
Opened in 2009 near Rabat, the royal academy has state-of-the-art facilities and produced players such as Youssef En-Nesyri and Nayef Aguerd, part of Morocco's 2022 World Cup semi-final squad.
Aspire Academy Senegal
Run by Qatar's Aspire programme, it has developed players for Senegalese and European clubs while providing schooling.
What makes a good academy
- Education alongside football, because most young players will not become professionals.
- Qualified coaches and proper medical care.
- Respect for FIFA's rules on transfers of minors.
- Transparent links with professional clubs, so families know the pathway.
Parents should be wary of "academies" that ask for money in exchange for trials abroad; read how to spot fake agents and trial scams.