The Rise of African Football: A World Cup Story

The unexpected success of Morocco in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has sparked a wave of optimism across the continent, with many believing that an African nation lifting the trophy is no longer a distant dream. Benjamin Balkin, co-founder of Eyeball, a digital platform launched in 2020, shares this sentiment and believes that his platform could be a pivotal factor in making this a reality.

Describing himself light-heartedly as a “failed footballer,” Balkin’s own experiences as a youth player at Monaco, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, fueled his passion for creating a platform that showcases talent that might otherwise be overlooked. This passion led to Eyeball’s investment in the United Future League, an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, as well as providing video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches worldwide.

The coaches film training sessions and tag individual players, with the footage then uploaded to the platform. This treasure trove of talent is accessible to top clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea for a mere 92 euros ($97) per day, giving them the opportunity to scout 30,000 players across Africa.

Born in France to Danish parents, Balkin understands the potential benefits of players moving abroad. He explains how their footballing IQ and understanding of the game can improve through exposure to better training methods and infrastructure. Ultimately, this benefits not only the players but also their national teams, increasing the likelihood of an African nation achieving World Cup glory.

Eyeball’s impact extends beyond just talent identification. Balkin’s colleague, Oliver Durr Dehnhardt, a former scout at Ajax, attests to the challenges of acquiring African talent before the platform’s existence. Eyeball has revolutionized the process, providing a transparent structure that was previously lacking. Now, scouts and clubs can directly access accurate information on players, bypassing the need for intermediaries, and potentially saving millions of euros in the process.

The platform’s effectiveness is evident in the story of Assane Ouedraogo, a 19-year-old Ivorian player who, through Eyeball, secured a move to Charlotte in the MLS. With his sign-on bonus, Ouedraogo was able to purchase a house for his parents, illustrating the life-changing impact that the platform can have.

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