SOGAKOPE, GHANA - Driving east from the Ghanaian capital of Accra, along the Aflao-Accra road and crossing over the Lower Volta bridge into the town of Sogakope, one would probably never expect to find an expansive and modern soccer academy there. However, if you looked closer, traveling along a long, bumpy dirt path lined with trees, you would eventually see Red Bull Academy's 500-seat grandstand like an oasis in the distance.
The academy is Ghana is one of five soccer properties that is owned by Red Bull, as the company has similar ventures in Salzburg, Leipzig, Sao Paulo and New York. Despite the fact that Red Bull's presence in Ghana has been brief, the academy has already become an elite facility that is attracting many of West Africa's best young players.
"I think it's impressive to see what they've been able to do in Ghana, be able to bring in talent here and develop that talent," said Red Bull New York's Jeff Agoos after he made a recent visit. "I think it will help all of the Red Bull properties and I think it's a very impressive addition."
The academy hosts about 55 players among three teams - a senior team (most who are no older than 20-years-old), the U17s and the U14s, also known as the Muchachos. Recently, the Senior Team was promoted to the Ghanaian Premier League - the highest professional level of soccer in the country. Some players, including U17 Nigerian forward Olarenwaju Kayode, who helped his country qualify for the final of the recent World Cup, have already represented their nations.
The academy site is equipped with two and a half turf fields, one grass field and several youth hostels and offices. The senior team plays its home games on its grandstand field that seats 500 and is often attended by local residents. In addition, there is a private school with fully-equipped classrooms. Players often train at 8 AM in the morning, attend classes afterwards, and have an afternoon training session later in the day.
According to Red Bull Academy's Hermann Kern, having mandatory classes was key to the academy because of the importance to instill self-confidence and knowledge into the players. Without it, he says, it would be more difficult for them to succeed in professional soccer.
"That's the biggest challenge here - to give the boys an education outside from soccer," Kern said. "This challenge is something we try to do with teachers and small classrooms so that they could reach the level that is expected in top leagues."
The academy, however, has taken time to form, as it was not until recently that construction was mostly completed. While the infrastructure was being built, there also was the concern of creating proper player development in this young academy.
"With one eye, we were looking at the construction and with the other eye, we were looking at the training of the boys," Kern said. "Now I think this is the time that we can concentrate one-hundred percent to develop the players."
There are still many goals ahead for the academy, which is still awaiting the completion of its gym. The main obvious aim is to create many players who would be ready to play in foreign leagues.
In addition, with the network of Red Bull soccer properties around the world, the club would ideally form an exchange program of ideas, players and personnel. Agoos briefly watched the Ghana senior team and U17s scrimmage and was impressed.
"You can tell there is a lot of promise with the boys and the really interesting part was that the younger boys were doing better than the older boys. That shows you that the plan here is working," Agoos said.
"The idea is fantastic for me," Kern said. "It is up to us now to find out where are the synergies and we have to connect these academies because it's a huge advantage to have knowledge in almost every culture. If you combine this, it will be interesting to see what the output is."
In a recent visit to Ghana, there were clear indications of a soccer-mad country. A local sports radio station, 82.9 FM, was discussing the African Cup of Nations. People walking around the streets were wearing "Ronaldo", "Messi" and of course, "Essien" jerseys (Michael Essien is Ghana's most famous player). African soccer has clearly grown over the past 20 years, evident with the performances of Cameroon, Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire and Ghana, among other countries, in recent World Cups and international competitions. It would not be surprising if these teams make their mark in next summer's World Cup in South Africa, as expectations continue to run higher.
"This is where so many young, talented players come from, and especially in this country, so I think it's critical that there's a presence here in Africa and especially in Ghana," Agoos said.
This week, the Red Bull Ghana senior team will celebrate its First Division championship not within the confines of the Academy, but in the local village. After some struggles in the beginning, the community has embraced the club.
Judging from what they have already built and what's in store for the future, this will the first of many celebrations for Red Bull's Academy in Ghana.
