Antonio helps young Ghanaians chase Premier League dreams

WHAT HAPPENED
A group of teenage players from the Ghanaian Samba Stars academy spent about two and a half months training and playing in England with the explicit aim of catching the eye of professional clubs and earning contracts. The touring party, backed by former West Ham and Nottingham Forest forward Michail Antonio, faced EFL and non-league youth opposition and were given trials by several English clubs.

The visit was not straightforward: nearly all of the 20-strong contingent had initial visa refusals before later being admitted, and while in the UK they were based at Brook House College in Market Harborough and trained at Harborough Town (National League North).

KEY CONTEXT
- Samba Stars is based in Kumasi and is developing a new training facility in Bompata, a little over 100 miles north of Accra. The academy was founded to provide elite coaching and create clearer pathways from Ghana to the professional game.
- The tour has already led to individual opportunities: midfielder Listowell Lord Hinneh secured a move to Middlesbrough in February after a trial and has since trained with their first team.
- Figures involved in bringing young players to Europe have expressed belief in the group’s potential; Rob Newman, who was involved in bringing a high-profile player to Manchester City in the past, has said some Samba Stars could play in Europe.

WHY IT MATTERS
Bringing a full academy group to England puts young Ghanaian players directly in front of clubs in a way that is uncommon for West African academies. Multiple clubs — including Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester City, Charlton, Preston, Barnsley and Peterborough — have evaluated Samba Stars players on trial, showing clear interest across different levels of the English game. If trials convert into moves, it would underline the academy’s claim that building local facilities and offering elite coaching can open professional pathways for Ghanaian talent.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Which trialists, if any, secure professional contracts after this tour.
- Progress on the new Bompata facility and whether it helps Samba Stars establish itself among the top academies in Ghana as intended.
- How the academy addresses visa obstacles for future trips following the group’s initial refusals and subsequent re-evaluations.
- Follow-up on Listowell Lord Hinneh’s development at Middlesbrough and any engagement he has with the visiting squad.

KEY FACTS
- The Samba Stars spent two and a half months in England playing against EFL and non-league youth teams.
- The academy is backed by Michail Antonio and is based in Kumasi, with a new facility being built in Bompata (just over 100 miles north of Accra).
- Clubs that took players on trial this summer include Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester City, Charlton, Preston, Barnsley and Peterborough.
- Midfielder Listowell Lord Hinneh joined Middlesbrough in February after a trial and has trained with their first team.
- All but one of the 20 visiting players initially had their UK visa applications denied before being admitted on re-evaluation.
- While in England the group was hosted by Brook House College and trained at Harborough Town (National League North).