An 18-year-old Senegalese goalkeeper has been found dead in Kumasi after fraudsters posing as football scouts lured him to Ghana with false promises of professional trials, then kidnapped him and killed him when his family couldn’t meet ransom demands.
Cheikh Touré, who played for Esprit Foot Yeumbeul in Senegal, was discovered dead on October 17, according to a statement from Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs. His body has been placed at Ebenezer Morgue in Tafo, approximately 250 kilometers from Accra, pending repatriation to Senegal.
The ministry confirmed that preliminary investigations indicate Touré fell victim to a criminal network operating across borders to exploit young athletes desperate for opportunities to advance their football careers. The scammers convinced him he had been selected for trials with a professional club, maintaining contact throughout his journey to Ghana to avoid raising suspicion.
Upon arrival in Kumasi, the teenager was kidnapped by the same individuals who had arranged his travel. They subsequently contacted his family in Senegal demanding a ransom for his release. Despite desperate efforts, the family was unable to raise the amount demanded, and the kidnappers carried out their threat.
Senegalese and Ghanaian authorities have launched a joint investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. The case is being handled with what the ministry described as the greatest attention and priority, though no arrests have been announced.
The tragedy exposes a dangerous pattern of criminals exploiting the dreams of young African footballers who see professional careers abroad as pathways out of poverty. Fake agent scams have long plagued African football, but this case represents a deadly escalation where promises of trials became a kidnapping and murder scheme.
Football scouts operating across African borders rarely face systematic regulation, creating opportunities for fraudsters to pose as legitimate talent spotters. Young players and their families, often lacking resources to verify credentials or opportunities, become vulnerable to schemes promising European or international trials.
Ghana has become a transit point for West African players seeking opportunities in European football, with Accra hosting numerous academies and agents claiming connections to clubs abroad. That ecosystem, while producing legitimate success stories, also provides cover for criminals exploiting the ambitions of teenagers like Touré.
The Senegalese football community has expressed shock and grief over the killing. Touré was described by those who knew him as a humble, dedicated goalkeeper with significant potential, though he had not yet broken into professional ranks.
The ministry extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured that consular services are coordinating the return of Touré’s body to Senegal. Whether the joint investigation will lead to convictions remains uncertain, as cross-border kidnapping cases often face jurisdictional complications and challenges in evidence gathering.
The killing raises urgent questions about how football authorities across Africa can protect young players from predatory schemes while maintaining legitimate pathways for talent development and international opportunities.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
