Human Trafficking of African footballers

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The issue of human trafficking of African footballers into Europe is the focus of a film which will be screened at a festival next week.

Soka Afrika documents the lives of two young African men, one from South Africa, the other from Cameroon, who take different path in pursuit of their dreams of becoming professional footballers. The story that unfolds reveals the struggle that is life in much of Africa and demonstrates how football is a vital lifeline to which many desperately cling.

South African Kermit manages to live the dream, signing a contract with top Dutch team Feyenoord while Ndomo is trafficked into France as a teenager by people who promise plenty but in the ends up being abandoned on the streets.

Ndomo is picked up by Culture Foot Solidaire, an NGO set up by former Cameroon international Jean Claude Mbvoumin who enjoyed a relatively successful career in France but wanted to address the plight of young Africans trafficked to Europe intent on pursuing a career in the game.

The contrasting stories of Kermit and Ndomo reflects the plight of countless hundreds of Africans who are on the pursuit for the riches and glamour of professional football as well as those looking to exploit their dreams.

Speaking about the serious issue of football trafficking, chairman of Kick It Out Lord Herman Ouseley said,

“Football trafficking is a serious issue which not many people are aware of. Whilst we all enjoy watching high-profile matches involving some of Africa’s biggest football stars, there are matters such as this which are an underlying problem. This screening of Soka Afrika is the perfect opportunity to educate people on the topic.”

Soka Afrika will be shown as part of the Kicking and Screening football film festival which takes place between 23-29 September. The film will be on at Everyman Cinema in Belsize Park on Wednesday 28 September.

To find out more about Soka Afrika, please click here.

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