Dlamini lauds CAF’s Protect The Dream programme and fight against fake player agents
Young African players falling victim to prowling fake player agents will soon be history.
These were the sentiments shared by CAF Legend, Amanda Dlamini on Thursday, 24 April when speaking to CAFOnline on the sidelines of the ongoing CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 in Accra.
Dlamini is amongst a host of legends that are playing a mentorship and support role at the four-day competition involving eight nations in both the boys and girls’ divisions of the competition currently underway between 23 – 26 April.
As part of its holistic approach to youth football development, CAF has been rolling out a series of workshops at the finals that are designed to educate players on various off the field matters, to ensure that their talent is supported by education.
Part of the programmes running parallel to the football action include the Protect The Dream campaign which is supported by CAF’s partnership with FIFPro. Through the partnership, young African players are guided on various ways of identifying fake player agents who prey on African players’ ambitions of playing professional football.
“I think CAF has really taken a giant step with this important initiative. We come from Africa, very disadvantaged, some of us, also are girls who could fall into the danger. So, you could be very desperate for a contract and be taken advantage of. You could get swept away, and you make some of these mistakes. So, I'm glad CAF emphasizes double-checking, triple-checking, if you have to, and where you can report these fake agents”, said the Dlamini.
The former Banyana Banyana skipper heaped praise on CAF’s invitation of former players who also shared their experiences of encountering fake player agents while in their youth.
“Speaking with some of these legends, they made some of these mistakes. I, too, when I graduated in the United States, thought it was a good contract. And when I had just signed a two-year contract, I had to pay for my own food, my own accommodations. I think hearing these stories, they're not stories that are isolated when you hear from people who are in front of them. I think for CAF to bring us such legends, to be part of the program, they'll understand that these are real-life instances, and they must be careful at all times”, she concluded.
CAF’s "Protect the Dream" programme is a dedicated initiative aimed at safeguarding African football players' careers, health, and well-being.
Launched in 2023 under the the CAF Safeguarding programme, it seeks to address the holistic needs of players at all career stages, from emerging talents to retired legends through providing resources and support to ensure safe and fulfilling careers in football.