SL Benfica celebrates partnership with Côte d'Ivoire

Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the Ivorian Coast government announced the Benfica Campus Côte D’Ivoire project that is set to revolutionize football training for young talents, strengthen the capacities of local football stakeholders, and uplift the underprivileged youth.

The event took place at Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan with the presence of the Sports Deputy Minister, Metch Adje Silas, CEO Sportify Capital-Benfica Campus Côte d’Ivoire, Lancine Diamondé, SL Benfica’s International Expansion Chief Executive, Bernardo Faria de Carvalho, SL Benfica Network Operations Coordinator for Global Expansion, Miguel Reis, International Technical Coordinator, Davide Gomes, and Portugal’s Côte D’Ivoire ambassador, Maria de Sousa Pilar, beside several other local Government members.

In a significant move to boost youth football development and enhance the performance of Ivorian national teams across all age categories, Sportify Capital, with the support of the Ivorian government, in collaboration with Portuguese club Sport Lisboa e Benfica, introduces the Benfica Campus Cote D’Ivoire project, a long-term project which will also allow the Portuguese club to have access to the top talent of the 2024 AFCON champions.

"The Benfica Campus Côte d'Ivoire project represents a transformative step in football training and youth development in Africa. By combining Benfica’s renowned training methodologies with the dedication and passion of Ivorian youth, we aim to elevate local talent to new heights and provide meaningful opportunities for the future. It’s also a stepping stone for Benfica with its second international youth football academy after the first in Brazil," said Bernardo Faria de Carvalho, SL Benfica’s International Expansion Chief Executive on the announcement event.

Over 132 young players aged 14 to 20, selected from various regions and districts in Côte d'Ivoire, will undergo annual training at the National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), combining sports and academics. The project also stands out for its commitment to redirect non-selected players towards alternative football-related careers, fostering a comprehensive approach to youth development.

In a public-private partnership, Benfica will provide its training methods and expertise to the Academy, aiming to nurture high-potential footballers, enhance their performance, and make them attractive to professional football clubs. A specialized technical team, comprising a Coordinator and three coaches, will be dedicated to the project.

Benfica's entourage visited several sports venues which will be used in this project, including the Olympic Stadium, which hosted AFCON's final this year. 

Beyond its sports and social aspects, this project holds symbolic importance for the cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and Portugal, formally announced on June 13, 2019, during the state visit of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to Côte d’Ivoire.

This project aims to retain 18-year-old Ivorians in their home country, curbing illegal immigration, fostering patriotism, and strengthening the Ivorian football landscape.