August 10, (THEWILL) – Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, has shared an empowering message for aspiring young football players in Nigeria: let your performance on the pitch do the talking.
His remarks come as several renowned figures in African football highlight the importance of focusing on mastering one’s craft, rather than searching for agents and middlemen. Speaking on the subject recently, the Ivorian football legend advised talents looking to emulate stars like Victor Osimhen, Kanu Nwankwo and Austin Jay Jay Okocha to make themselves undeniable through their play.
“The best agent you can have is yourself and your performance,” Drogba emphasised. Echoing this sentiment was Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso, the former Cameroon international, who is now FIFPro Africa President. He acknowledged the financial pressures faced by African youths but urged them to persevere and improve. “I pulled through because I met a good, supportive person. I was lucky,” Geremi reflected. They recognised the value of educating young players about identifying trustworthy agents and avoiding scams.
Football academies are also under strain to find opportunities without deals that take advantage of athletes. Ultimately, the firm message from African football leaders is that substantive ability and consistency on the field are what open doors, not connections. For youth with pro dreams, the focus should be mastery of the game.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
