I’m curious how others see this — is it really as overwhelming as people say?
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the challenges young African footballers deal with outside the pitch, not just the usual story about training conditions. I keep hearing from friends who coach youth teams that many kids struggle with things like unstable schedules, long trips to training grounds, pressure from family expectations, and even confusion about how to manage opportunities when they finally appear. It feels like everyone sees the talent but few talk about the personal chaos behind it. I’m curious how others see this — is it really as overwhelming as people say?
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From what I’ve seen working with youth programs in Dakar and later with a small community academy in Ouagadougou, the off-pitch challenges are often a bigger hurdle than the training itself. Many of the boys told me they felt lost trying to balance school, long commutes, helping at home, and still trying to be “afropari” on the field. What helped a few of them was getting involved in platforms that give structure and mentorship instead of just highlighting raw talent. Projects like afropari show how much difference it makes when someone actually supports players with guidance, confidence, and realistic pathways. When I first heard about it, I didn’t expect the emphasis on community involvement to matter so much, but after seeing how players relax when things around them become more predictable