very sad and painful depart Nepali club just fired one of the key players his leaving Nepali very painful….

 

Title: African Footballers in Nepal: Their Contribution and Experience in a Distant Land

In 2012, Victor Amobi, aged 28, arrived in Nepal from Nigeria with 20 companions, all eager to explore football opportunities in the Himalayan nation. Their journey to Nepal was facilitated by an agent in Africa who had touted the quality of football played in the country.

Fast forward six years, Amobi finds himself playing for the Manang Marshanda Club in Kathmandu, marking his transition from curious visitor to a fixture in Nepal’s football scene.

Amobi’s group wasn’t the pioneering set of foreigners to venture into Nepali football. The influx of African football players gained momentum in 2005 when Boys Union Club recruited a player from Africa. Witnessing the physical prowess of these players, Nepali clubs began acquiring foreign talent, giving them a competitive edge over local players. By 2009, most teams boasted at least one African player.

However, for many Nepalis, the presence of African players remains somewhat enigmatic. The question lingers: why do these athletes’ journey so far to a country often perceived as economically disadvantaged, just to pursue football?

Arrival Routes

The majority of players arrive in Nepal through agents with connections to local clubs, a route similar to Amobi’s experience. Their agent in Nigeria arranged a friendly match with Jawala Khel Youth Club, attracting the attention of Nepali club scouts. Following a standout performance, Amobi was recruited by Three Star Club.

However, not all players arrive under such auspicious circumstances, as revealed by a recent Guardian article detailing how some African players are misled into coming to Nepal. Amobi emphasizes that such cases are exceptions and not representative of the broader African community in Nepal, most of whom are earnestly pursuing football opportunities.

Florent Larva Kone’s journey from Ivory Coast in 2015 exemplifies a different path. Without agent assistance, Kone arrived after the conclusion of the national league. Despite encountering obstacles due to the league hiatus, Kone eventually secured a trial watched by numerous football clubs. Successful trials result in club contracts and work permits, enabling players to stay legally in Nepal.

An unnamed football club member with extensive Nepali football experience asserts that while many come to play football, some arrive with ulterior motives, seeking refuge from their home countries. This sentiment is echoed by Sugan Tendulkar, a football agent in Nepal, who notes that many Africans, after struggling in India, turn to Nepal in search of consistent football opportunities.

Tandekar further elaborates that while the ultimate aspiration for many African players is Europe, the prohibitive living expenses and limited opportunities prompt them to explore alternatives in Asia. Thus, Nepal emerges as an appealing destination due to its relatively affordable living costs and accessible football avenues.

In essence, African footballers in Nepal embark on a journey driven by their passion for the sport and the pursuit of improvement, navigating a path that intertwines personal ambition with the allure of distant opportunities.