Head Coach of the national under-17 team, the Black Starlets of Ghana, Paa Kwesi Fabin has voiced out his distress with the rate at which European scouts are using money to lure young footballers into premature transfers.
The Black Starlets of Ghana are in India, where they face Mali in the quarter finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Ahead of the game the former Heart of Lions coach expressed his anguish at the modalities some of the European scouts use in attracting young African footballers.
"It is very important to go to Europe through the right channels, or else players go astray in Europe and I have seen a lot of African players lost in the dust just because they didn't go Europe through the right channels and agents.”
The Ghana team has put an embargo on agents and scouts from approaching their players during the FIFA U17 World Cup and even during the build-up. Fabin says if any teams are interested they can speak with the players' club in Ghana after the World Cup.
"Football is a way out from poverty for millions across the globe not only Africa but also in Asia, South America and other parts of the world," said Fabin when asked to comment on his statement that “Football is a way out of poverty in Ghana”, but he did add to it that “Poor boys going to Europe and swimming in millions is also hampering football as the player loses focus.”
The two times African Champions are poised for a third triumph since winning the competition in 1995.
By Lukman Evergreen Mumin