As part of CAF’s ongoing efforts to combat player trafficking and exploitation, captains of all participating teams in the U-20 WAFU Zone B AFCON qualifiers read out messages, during matches, to raise awareness about the critical issue of player trafficking.
The National U-20 captain, Edwin Asamoah Kuffour, took a lead role in this awareness campaign, reading powerful statements to the crowd before each of Ghana’s matches in Lomé, Togo. His message emphasised the importance of creating a safe environment for young footballers and protecting them from exploitation.
Addressing the crowd ahead of the National u-20 team’s games with Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast, Kuffour highlighted the reality of player trafficking, underscoring that young players with dreams of professional careers are often deceived by false agents.
In his first message, he said, “The dream of becoming a professional player must never turn into a nightmare. Together, let’s refuse the trafficking of young players and work for a safe and conducive environment for their development. Parents, team managers, match officials, coaches, referees, player FIFA agents, journalists, and sports fans, let’s unite to say NO to player trafficking. Let’s Protect the dream.”
Before the team’s second match, Captain Asamoah Kuffuor, among other things, stated that, “Player trafficking is a crime that deprives young athletes of their future. Every year, young talents are torn from their families with the promise of dreams of careers abroad, but many find themselves abandoned by “fake agents” and without resources.” He ended by calling for an end to player trafficking. “Together, let’s put an end to this practice. Let’s PROTECT THE DREAM,” he concluded.
The initiative, part of CAF’s “Protect the Dream” project, dwells on the importance of raising awareness and taking preventive action. Through efforts like these, CAF and the GFA are striving to ensure a secure and supportive environment for players, focusing on the prevention of exploitation and fostering a culture of care for young footballers across Africa.
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