The missing piece: Why many African footballers struggle to make impression in Europe

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

For most footballers globally, plying their trade in Europe is the ultimate goal.

The icing on the cake for them is being recruited by clubs competing in the big five leagues in the continent: the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spanish La Liga and French Ligue 1.

While several African footballers have gone on to achieve remarkable success in Europe, many others have struggled to make an impression.

Consequently, they have either been sold or loaned by their clubs while others have opted to return home in search of a fresh start.

Kenya has had its fair share of such cases, with Ryan Ogam, Henry Meja, Stanley Wilson and Frank Odhiambo among the long list of players who have had to secure moves to other clubs after struggling to make an impression following their high-profile moves to Europe.

Striker Ogam, 21, accomplished his dream of playing in Europe when he joined Austria’s top-flight side, Wolfsberger Athletik Club in September last year. But having been deprived of regular playing time at the club, the left-footed attacker sealed a loan move to Belgium’s second-tier side, Royal Football Club de Liège.

After an outstanding 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) campaign with Tusker, Meja joined Sweden’s giants AIK Football on a five-year contract.

However, the 24-year-old midfielder struggled to establish himself at the club and has spent successive seasons on loan at lower-tier sides in Sweden - Norrby IF and Athletic Football Club Eskilstuna.

Midfielder Wilson, 19, joined AIK in 2024 from Kariobangi Sharks in a deal worth Sh 25 million. He was loaned to Enköpings SK FK in 2025.

Meanwhile, defender Odhiambo, 23, joined Sweden’s Djurgardens IF from Gor Mahia in 2022. He, however, struggled to establish himself in the club’s starting squad and was loaned to various lower-tier sides in Sweden, including IFK Haninge, Vasalunds IF, AFC Eskilstuna, and IF Karlstad.

The defender rejoined Gor in January 2026 and has been one the club’s standout players.

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So, what could be the reason behind the struggle by most African footballers in making an impression in Europe?

According to FC Andorra’s Methodology Director and Under-19 coach Marc Gomez, the answer lies in the limited tactical skills exhibited by African footballers.

The Uefa Pro License coach spoke to Nation Sport during the conclusion of the inaugural FC Andorra International Nairobi Camp at Don Bosco Utume in Karen.

FC Andorra is a Spanish football club which currently competes in the country’s second tier league - Segunda Division.

Little tactical skills

Gomez reckoned that while the African continent boasts of players with immense talent and good physical attributes, they are not exposed to tactical skills early enough thus stifling their career growth.

Instead, he said most of the focus in Africa is on physical and technical development. “African players are mainly trained in technical and physical skills but not enough tactical skills. It is a little difference but when you are a professional, it becomes a big difference,” Gomez stated.

He singled out Kenya Secondary Sports Association (KSSSA) Games as one of the areas where immense talent with little tactical skills is on display.

“Two years ago I watched the final of High School [Games]. Players are very talented and a bit physically but when you see their matches, there are no tactical skills. A player needs to understand different components of the game. For now, there is not enough training for these components in Africa,” the coach said.

He stressed on the importance of introducing players to all the aspects of the game at an early age, noting that it presents them with the best opportunity to flourish when they turn professional.

Gomez cited Spain, saying that players there are introduced to all aspects of the game from as young as seven years old.

According to the Uefa Pro License coach when this approach is adopted, players become complete footballers by the age of 19 as they are well-equipped technically, tactically and physically.

For an African player looking to continue his/her career development in Europe, he recommended the relocation to happen at around the age of 15 or 16 years. “For me, the ideal age to go to Europe is 15, 16 or even younger because when you start the training on tactics at the same level as European players, you are more likely to reach the highest level. If you go to Europe at 18, 19 or 20, by the time you complete your development, you are around 23 or 24 years old and already in the middle stage of your career,” advised Gomez.

Three players were selected for an exclusive one-week academy experience in Andorra.

Several other outstanding participants were awarded partial scholarships by FC Andorra International, providing them with continued opportunities to remain in the club's development pathway.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.