An insight has been revealed into why the development of football in Europe has been far ahead of Africa particularly as age discrepancies and other factors are noticeable differences in the game of football.
A UEFA B holder Adedeji Adeyemi who is based in Switzerland disclosed that the commencement of football in Europe for a child usually begins at the age of six (6) while some African descents register their kids into football Academy or training clubs from the age of twelve (12).
Featuring as a Special Guest in one of the leading online Whatsapp platforms in Nigeria, Sports World, hosted by Sunday Agunbiade, Coach Adedeji noted that the management of the game is also a factor affecting the growth of the game in the continent.
Reacting to a question posed by the CEO TopPro Management, Lagos, Mr. Ayodele Thomas, the FC Ruti and Kloten tactician said:
“The development of the game in Europe is different from the one obtained in Africa. This is so, the kids start playing football from the age of 6 in Europe, partly in Switzerland. They start training in a club with other kids. They train two times a week and they play league matches every weekend with other teams. The kids from there learn the basis from this age for them to know what it takes to be a footballer. Secondly, before the kids get to the age of 10, they would have mastered what football requires. In Africa, the kids play football in their own compound and most of them use their own natural talents. Also, the management of those kids in Switzerland builds on the talents with the investment made by their parents while African kids use their natural talents with a lesser investment
The 1998 League Champion with Stationary Stores added that:
“The management of the game should evolve ways of improving on the existing and inherent talents in Africa so as to boost the market value of African footballers just like their counterparts in Europe,” said the former Under 17 and 20 Campee.
Adedeji who made some appreciable marks at his club made the Swiss club, FC Gossau honor him as the best Coach of the season in the 2020/21 season.
He was earlier acknowledged by Dübendorf who honored him as the best Youth Coach in the 2015/16 season after winning the best Coca-Cola League cup in 1999 and they made him the Captain of the team in the 2nd half of the League in the year 1999.
He stayed much longer with FC Dubendorf from 2010-to 2016. He won so many titles and laurels with Gusau 2 Manachaft FC and different club sides such as FC Winterthur Under 19( in the year 2019) spill over to the year 2020. FC Futi and Klotan FC.
