Frederic Oumar Kanoute: The Brain Behind The Success Of Patson Daka And Enock Mwepu

Zambia is a talent factory of world class players who have the ability to play in any competitive league environment around the world.

It has, however, been observed that the penetration of Zambian players into some of the biggest leagues in the world has been very low.

For instance, Zambia has only managed to produce three players (Collins Mbesuma, Emmanuel Mayuka and Patson Daka) who have managed to penetrate into the English league which many consider to be competitive and lucrative.

Generally, what affects Zambian players penetration into competitive and lucrative leagues is not the lack of talent but failure to be managed by competent football agents.

The success of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu is a classical example of players who have been well managed from the time they were still infants to the level they are.

Many of you have come to appreciate their talent but you have not bothered to discover the brains behind their success.

Meet Frederic Oumar Kanoute, the man behind the success of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu.

Frederic Oumar Kanoute (Picture Credit: Getty Images)

Kanoute is a former Malisn international who in 2007 was crowned Africa Footballer of the Year after a successful season with Sevilla.

The 43 year old says it was never his dream to start a football agency but was coerced into it after noticing how African players were treated by their agents.

"It has never been a dream of mine to have an agency or become an agent but I was almost forced or pushed into it," says Frederic Kanuote told the BBC.

Read more on https://www.bbc.com/

Kanoute discovered Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu 2017 during the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nation's.

Kanoute took Patson Daka to several clubs around Europe among them Lille in France and some clubs in Spain but all of them could not sign him until he landed at Red Bull Salzburg.

Patson Daka. Artwork courtesy: Leicester City Football Club

Today, Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu are a success story commanding the first and second spot respectively as the most expensive players in Southern Africa.

Daka is in the books of Leicester City while Enock Mwepu is on his way to Brighton and Hoves.

Enock Mwepu

With this classical examples, there is need for Zambian players to secure credible and trusted football agents if at all we want to see more players in big leagues.

Picture credit: Getty Images