FC Barcelona has announced a five-year partnership with Africa Foot, a second-division Malian club, to support the ‘technical and behavioural’ development of its players in a huge leap forward for Malian Football. The agreement was signed by Sergi Burjuan, director of Barça Academies, and Kassoum Coulibaly of Africa Foot, with the Spanish ambassador to Mali and various officials in attendance. This partnership, part of Barça’s broader efforts in Africa following similar collaborations in Ivory Coast and Senegal, aims to further the growth of Malian football, with both clubs committed to maximising the potential of local talent.
Africa Foot President Bahama Sidibé said: “Today marks the official start of a historic partnership between FC Barcelona and Africa Foot. This partnership sends a strong signal from the Catalan club to the world, indicating that there is potential in Mali and Africa. Malian footballers are incredibly talented, which is why the Barcelonians are here in Mali to cement this partnership.
“Given the composition of this high-level delegation from FC Barcelona, we can say that this partnership is of significant importance to them. It is essential to note that this collaboration is not only about our club but for Mali and Africa as a whole. Let us all join hands to ensure that this partnership flourishes and makes both Africa Foot and Mali proud!”
The director of FC Barcelona Academies in Africa, Thierno Barry, added: “We have been working with the Malian side for some time to make this collaboration a reality. The journey may be challenging, but with the commitment and perseverance of my team, we are sure that we will achieve great things together in developing football in Mali. FC Barcelona thanks you for your trust and we will do everything possible to enhance this project.”
Barcelona's African Ambitions
In the last few months, FC Barcelona has been making increasing inroads into the continent of Africa as they look to tap into this treasure and recruit the best young talents for their youth ranks. This partnership is a testament to Barcelona's commitment to nurturing and developing talent from all corners of the globe, particularly from Africa, where footballing potential is abundant. The Blaugranes have been actively seeking young, promising players from the continent, recognizing the immense talent pool that exists.
Key Signings from Africa
The most prominent African signing that the Catalans made last year was Mikayil Faye, whom the Blaugranes bought for only €1.5 million from NK Kustosija, before making a good profit on him as they sold him to Rennes for €10.3 million last summer. This transfer showcases Barcelona's adeptness in identifying and developing promising African talent. Other additions, such as Mamadou Mbacke, David Oduro, and Abdul Aziz Issah, have also joined Barcelona in recent months, further bolstering the club's presence in the African football landscape.
Formalization of the Collaboration with Academie Africa Foot
Barcelona's commitment to African talent has been further solidified by the formalization of their collaboration agreement with the Academie Africa Foot of Mali. This partnership represents a strategic move by Barcelona, signaling their intent to establish a strong presence in the region and tap into the rich pool of talent emerging from Mali.
A Delegation from Barcelona to Mali
A delegation from Barcelona, including Sergi Barjuan and Bernat Villa, who is the Technical Director of Barcelona Academies, traveled to Africa for this purpose. The Blaugranes’ main scout on the continent, Moussa Kone, and the Spanish Ambassador to Mali, Antonio Guillen Hidalgo, were also present at the ceremony. The presence of such a high-level delegation underscores the significance of this partnership for both Barcelona and Academie Africa Foot.
Benefits of the Partnership
Under this agreement, the Catalans will provide financial help to the academy, and in exchange, will have preferential rights over some of the highly talented youngsters that come up through their ranks. This mutually beneficial agreement provides financial support to the academy while offering Barcelona the opportunity to secure the best young talents.
Ibrahim Diarra: A Success Story
Although it was formalized yesterday, this collaboration has been in place for quite some time now, and has already benefitted Barcelona in the form of Ibrahim Diarra. The youngster has already traveled to Catalonia, but had to leave Spain because his visa expired, and now the Catalans are keeping a close eye on his development. While Diarra's journey has been impacted by visa issues, it demonstrates the potential of this partnership to identify and nurture young talents. The club's keen interest in his development highlights their commitment to the agreement.
A Glimpse into the Future
For now, the Blaugranes will have to wait till Diarra turns 18 years of age to complete his signing. But with this formalization of the collaboration, one can expect even more talents like him to be joining the Barcelona youth ranks in the future. This partnership promises to be a fruitful endeavor, fostering the growth of Malian football while supplying Barcelona with a steady stream of young talent. The agreement is set to pave the way for a new wave of African players to grace the hallowed grounds of the Camp Nou, adding a new dimension to Barcelona's rich footballing legacy.
A Partnership for the Future
This partnership between FC Barcelona and Africa Foot signifies a commitment to fostering the development of young talents in Mali and across Africa. It represents a strategic move by Barcelona to secure future talent and expand their global reach, with a particular focus on the African continent. This collaboration holds immense potential for the growth of Malian football and will likely be a model for future collaborations between European giants and emerging footballing nations.
