SuperMikey Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 East Africa covers Kenya, Tanzania and Somlia, forgive me for not getting myself at it about the prospects of unearthing a gem here. Aren't you forgetting about Eddie Odihambo? Seriously though, there are some decent players of Kenyan descent playing in the Scandinavian leagues - Inter have a Kenyan midfielder called McDonald Mariga who is a great player (in fact, HCDAJFU). Football is a growing sport in Africa and if we can set up an academy over there then there's no reason as to why we can't really reap the benefits over the coming years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 It would perhaps be an opportune time to develop links into Brazil. Bear in mind the following: - A Southampton player was instrumental in the introduction of football to that country - Saints were early pioneers into playing on tours there - We play an attractive passing game - We've got a Brazilian playing for us - just promoted to the biggest league in the world Seems there's more than enough marketing hooks there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 East Africa covers Kenya, Tanzania and Somlia, forgive me for not getting myself at it about the prospects of unearthing a gem here. Jaidi is one Brave f ucker if he's going scouting for talent there ......though apparently they have a football team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 As for West Africa, we already have a kernel of support in Gambia of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pahars_Legend Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 One of our current youth players played in Africa so maybe we have already looked there before and liked what we saw 'Alberto Seidi - Portugal based striker who is a real handful for opponents and boasts an impressive goal scoring record from Guinea Bissau Academy in West Africa.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 Those knit picking about the geography are a bit pathetic. What about enjoying these kind of plans....they seem to mean business. Geography is important: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 Jaidi is one Brave f ucker if he's going scouting for talent there Maybe he can win the locals over by explaining the benefits of keeping a clean s hit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2782391,00.html Full article. Radhi Jaidi is taking up a figurehead role. The article reads fantastically in terms of the ambition and determination to do things in a different and sustainable way...good to be part of this thinking but just know that a few feathers are going to be ruffled...on here (of course)if we don't target high value players and around the 'establishment' because we (so recently of L1:D) are trailblazing in many ways. Liking what I read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 I think that players from "French" Africa are generally entitled to a French passport and as such visas wouldn't be required. no they bloody well aren't, not any more.Those that are entitled to a French passeport have been on French soil in their youth for a number of years (like Drogba).However with the scouting systems of a lot of french clubs the real prospects are often in the French youth academies by the time they're about 8 or 9 anyway. Take the case of Demba Ba, a senagalese to all evidence,right but he was actually born in the suburbs of Paris,so it's no good looking in Senegal for players like him;you have to look in the Parisian youth leagues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 no they bloody well aren't, not any more.Those that are entitled to a French passeport have been on French soil in their youth for a number of years (like Drogba).However with the scouting systems of a lot of french clubs the real prospects are often in the French youth academies by the time they're about 8 or 9 anyway. Take the case of Demba Ba, a senagalese to all evidence,right but he was actually born in the suburbs of Paris,so it's no good looking in Senegal for players like him;you have to look in the Parisian youth leagues. Ahhh but Papa Wagio was born in senegal......mmmm Demba Ba or Papa Wagio to close to call:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 no they bloody well aren't, not any more.Those that are entitled to a French passeport have been on French soil in their youth for a number of years (like Drogba).However with the scouting systems of a lot of french clubs the real prospects are often in the French youth academies by the time they're about 8 or 9 anyway. Take the case of Demba Ba, a senagalese to all evidence,right but he was actually born in the suburbs of Paris,so it's no good looking in Senegal for players like him;you have to look in the Parisian youth leagues. Certainly not true of the North African countries - and that's where the efforts appear to be concentrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 (edited) Certainly not true of the North African countries - and that's where the efforts appear to be concentrated. Depends, Morocco's best player right now is probably Belhanda, and he's from Avignon and plays for Montpellier.Chamakh is from somewhere around Toulouse. Edited 22 May, 2012 by Window Cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suomi Saint Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 I always thought that non-EU passport holders had to play a certain % of internationals for their home country before they can be considered for a work permit? Therefore, how can the youth of these countries qualify? Papa had an Italian passport I seem to remember. Even Chung had his first application turned down, and he is a Japan regular. Maybe the Don will arrange 'dodgy' marriages to English slappers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalsaint Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 Are you implying the marriages wouldn't be dodgy?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 I always thought that non-EU passport holders had to play a certain % of internationals for their home country before they can be considered for a work permit? Therefore, how can the youth of these countries qualify? Papa had an Italian passport I seem to remember. Even Chung had his first application turned down, and he is a Japan regular. Maybe the Don will arrange 'dodgy' marriages to English slappers? Isn't the UK full of non-EU "students" attending a mahoosive college located above a fish & chip shop in Southall? I doubt they'd have too much trouble getting a student visa to attend one of the foremost football academies in England (if they were deemed good enough to bring over here). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 I always thought that non-EU passport holders had to play a certain % of internationals for their home country before they can be considered for a work permit? Therefore, how can the youth of these countries qualify? Papa had an Italian passport I seem to remember. Even Chung had his first application turned down, and he is a Japan regular. Maybe the Don will arrange 'dodgy' marriages to English slappers? Mere technicalities. Once the home office see our master plan to conquer east or maybe west but probably saharan Africa they'll change government policy. I hear rumours that David Cameron is already looking to re-open the Colonial Office just for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 For once I am fully supportive of those who wish to dress up. A sea of pith helmets would look brilliant. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-PITH-HELMET-WHITE-MILITARY-HAT-WAR-REPLICA-ARMY-/270578065354?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3effb59fca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 (edited) Isn't the UK full of non-EU "students" attending a mahoosive college located above a fish & chip shop in Southall? I doubt they'd have too much trouble getting a student visa to attend one of the foremost football academies in England (if they were deemed good enough to bring over here). That's ok if not in the first team. I remember a Russian youth we had but when coming of age for a pro contract, it couldn't be offered as he wasn't eligible to play. Edited 22 May, 2012 by Doctoroncall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 22 May, 2012 Share Posted 22 May, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8e3MagjygU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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