Episode Details

An interview live from The World Football Summit, Founder of The Business and Football Network, David Chimbaza speaks with Emmanuel Mireku Attah, CEO of Manna Fresh Football Club, about his journey from professional footballer to football business leader and youth development advocate. After an injury ended his playing career, Emmanuel turned to education, completing a master’s degree in football business before focusing on building a new development pathway for young players in Ghana and across Africa.

Emmanuel explains the vision behind Manna Fresh Football Club: to identify talented young players, provide them with the structure and support they need, and help them progress towards professional football. He discusses the gap between the talent available across Africa and the facilities, systems and development pathways currently accessible to many young players, particularly those who train and play on poor surfaces without the same level of infrastructure available in Europe.

The conversation explores the importance of investing not only in pitches and facilities, but also in education, nutrition, mental health, coaching, data and long-term player development. Emmanuel reflects on how countries such as Morocco have made progress through stronger structures, while arguing that every African nation has the potential to improve by identifying its own weaknesses and building systems that allow young players to reach their full potential.

Manna Fresh Football Club’s ambitions extend beyond producing professional players. Emmanuel explains why the project also aims to create wider career pathways within football, helping young people explore opportunities as coaches, scouts, agents and other football professionals if they do not become players themselves. He also discusses the club’s search for partners, investors and supporters who share the vision of reducing wasted talent and helping African football become more competitive on the world stage