Ghanaian teenagers Ali Umar and Joseph Narbi have been signed onto the Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) roster as part of the sporting agency's decision to expansion its operation in Africa.
Earlier this year, Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) - the global sporting arm of Jay-Z's Roc Nation - announced an expansion of its football operation in Africa and has confirmed signing eight rising young players across six African countries.
Koforidua Semper Fi exciting youngster Ali Umar and Joseph Narbi of Benab FC headline the teenage talents signed by RNSI - a separate division of the company from the Roc Nation agency for US artists and the Roc Nation Sports agency for US sporting talent.
Narbi was an outstanding talent during the 2024 WAFU U17 tournament and he has attracted strong interest from Denmark's AC Horsens and RB Salzburg.
Ali Umar has been incredible in the Ghana's Division One League with Koforidua Semper Fi and he was rewarded with a call-up to play for the Ghana U17 and U20 teams.
Nigerian attacking midfielder Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku of Tripple 44 FC, a 17-year-old who has recently been on trial at IFK Göteborg.
Also, Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyabonga Mabena and Kaizer Chiefs forward Neo Bohloko were among the list of players signed by RNSI. Guinea's Mamadou Aliou Diallo (Al Nasr, Dubai), Gambia's Francis Gomez (Sibonor United), and Zimbabwe's Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Scottland FC) have all been signed as well.
According to Roc Nation Sports International, they are focusing their attention primarily on locally-based players across Sub-Saharan Africa.
RNSI's head of global recruitment for football, Nathan Campbell, told ESPN: "For us, our key strategy is: Can we essentially sign and work with the best young talent with a view to moving them to Europe”
"Can we look at places like South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, [as well as Zimbabwe, Gambia and Guinea] and really look at the best talents with a view to moving them to Europe. The top five leagues are the end goal."
"We're partnering with people in Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, so we have feet on the ground. Then, those guys will work across different countries on the continent to ensure that we're really covering all the key countries that we want to focus on," Campbell said.
The focus in Africa will initially be men's football, with Campbell saying: "I think we have to really establish ourselves within the men's game and then look at the other levers with regards to women's football.
"The women's side of the game is definitely developing... Everyone who works for the company are subject-matter experts in their fields. I would want to bring on a subject matter expert on the women's game if we're going to enter that space."
RNSI previously took tentative steps into the African football market, beginning with a brand consultancy partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns - announced in 2021 and still active. That deal is completely independent of their dealings with the club regarding representing their players and potential transfer targets
