(Source: The Guardian) — An 18-year-old footballer from Senegal has tragically fallen prey to an expanding network of deceitful agents who are taking advantage of the aspirations of young African players eager to enter the world of professional football overseas.
Cheikh Touré, a talented goalkeeper hailing from Dakar, lost his life in Ghana in October after being misled into thinking he was heading to Morocco for club trials. His mother, Diodo Sokhna, shared that he left their home brimming with hope that football could elevate his family from poverty. Unfortunately, he was diverted hundreds of miles away, held against his will, and forced to contact his family, demanding money for his freedom.
Sokhna sent what she could – nearly 650,000 CFA francs – but soon Touré stopped responding. She later received a call from an unknown man telling her her son was dead. “They killed my only son,” she said.
Touré’s body was dropped at a hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, with injuries police say included wounds to his neck and stomach. Senegal’s football federation says both countries are investigating what appears to be the work of a “network of fraudulent recruiters”.
A Rising Crisis Across West Africa
Touré’s situation underscores what player unions and experts describe as a growing trend of exploitation. Across Africa, fraudulent agents impose significant fees on families, assuring them of trials or contracts abroad that ultimately do not come to fruition. A 2023 survey conducted by the global players’ union Fifpro revealed that 70% of young African footballers had been approached unsolicited by alleged agents, with over half realizing that the promised trial was nonexistent.
Researchers indicate that organized criminal networks in and around North Africa are instrumental in this issue, leveraging false assurances of access to European scouts, attractive salaries, and visas. For families facing financial hardships, the temptation can be incredibly strong.
“Their families see it as a way out of poverty,” said security researcher Abdelkader Abderrahmane. “Without knowing, they are pushing them into extreme misery and danger.”
Widespread Exploitation
High-profile African players have also raised alarms. Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi described the situation as “more than a crisis”, recalling instances of young players stranded in Europe after being abandoned by scammers.
Experts say the industry thrives by exploiting the success stories of African stars who have made it to Europe, feeding dreams of wealth and fame. “The lucrative nature of the sport has created a dreamscape,” said Mahfoud Amara of Qatar University.
A Family Devastated
For Touré, the dream was simple: to support his mother and honour his sister who had died two years earlier. His social media was filled only with football clips and affectionate posts dedicated to his mother.
“All that interested him was football,” Sokhna said. “He was good to everyone. Maybe he trusted too much.”
Authorities and unions are urging families to verify any offers and warning that scams are becoming more sophisticated. But for Sokhna, the warnings come too late.
“My son had mercy,” she said. “He wanted to make me proud. Now he is gone.”
