Renowned FIFA-licensed football agent and sports entrepreneur Dr. Drew Uyi has raised concerns over the structural weaknesses stalling the true growth of football across Africa, warning that natural talent alone cannot sustain long-term progress.
Uyi made the remarks during a high-level football forum hosted at the iconic Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary. The event, themed “East Meets West in Football,” brought together global stakeholders to examine the future of the sport beyond borders.
Describing the forum as more than just a conversation hub, Uyi stressed that it served as a platform for honest reflection on football’s systemic issues—particularly in Africa.
At the core of his message was a stark reminder: infrastructure remains the backbone of football development. According to him, without intentional investment in quality pitches, training facilities, and organized systems, Africa’s abundant talent risks remaining undiscovered and underdeveloped.
“Infrastructure is destiny. Without quality pitches and facilities, development is limited and true talent remains unseen,” he stated.
Beyond facilities, Uyi urged stakeholders to rethink how African football is positioned globally. He pointed out that successful football nations do more than produce talent—they strategically market it.
Drawing comparisons, he noted that countries like Brazil have mastered the art of packaging and promoting players, thereby increasing their global value and visibility.
He also highlighted the often-overlooked human factor in player success, emphasizing the role of strong family structures and support systems in helping athletes adapt and thrive internationally.
“Players with strong support systems adapt and succeed more consistently abroad. The human side of football cannot be overlooked,” Uyi explained.
The agent further warned against the premature export of young players, noting that early moves abroad often benefit foreign systems more than the players’ home countries.
“When players leave too early without full development, value is created elsewhere—not at home,” he cautioned.
Concluding his address, Uyi called for a shift in approach, urging African football stakeholders to prioritize building sustainable systems that not only discover talent but also nurture and maximize it locally.
“The future of African football lies in building strong systems that develop, support, and maximise talent,” he said.
