Soka Afrika contrasts the path of two young African men, Kermit from South Africa and Ndomo from Cameroon, each taking very different journeys in pursuit of their dreams: success in professional football on the world stage. But like many things in the great continent, there are few easy paths. For many Africans football has become a promised lifeline, for others a dangerous journey to disappointment and destitution.

Born in a township in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Kermit Romeo Erasmus has risen from humble beginnings to become an exciting striker for Dutch team Feyenoord at the age of 18. Kermit is now on the brink of breaking into football’s elite.  Soka Afrika follows Kermit from his family home to his club in Rotterdam and on to the U20 (under 20s) World Cup in Egypt. Kermit helps the team become the first in South African history to qualify beyond the group stage of the World Cup. Following this outstanding performance, Kermit is selected for the full national squad.

For every Kermit, there are a thousand others who slip through the cracks.  Their path is not paved with gold but riddled with exploitation. Ndomo, born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, lived for more than a year on the streets of Paris, afraid and alone after being abandoned by a man he trusted - one who claimed to be an agent.

Fortuitously, Ndomo is found by Jean Claude Mbvoumin, a former Cameroon international and founder of Culture Foot Solidaire, an NGO set up to help victims of corruption and prevent its spread in the future. With CFS’s help, Ndomo returns home and finds himself called up to the Cameroon U20 squad for the World Cup in Egypt. Can he follow in Kermit’s footsteps and succeed after such hardship?

Ndomo’s only hope is to try again in Europe but this time with wiser eyes and support from CFS. Here, Ndomo’s recollections of the deception he and his family faced aged 15 is contrasted with other young Africans still on the streets, still suffering. Finally, with anguish still fresh, hope arrives for Ndomo in the form of a legitimate agent, and he begins trialling for major clubs throughout Europe’s top leagues.

Featuring unique access to players, games and agents, Soka Afrika is a film about football that mixes the personal with the political. Beautiful visuals expose the harsh emotional and physical paths that many young Africans make journeying from friendly townships to cold urban cities to the spectacle of big money events.

HD Available

Soka Afrika was featured on CNN Screening Room. Click here to view.

Awards and Festivals

Winner:
Jury Prize, Best Film, Kicking and Screening Festival, New York, 2011

Official Selection:
Kicking and Screening Film Festival, New York, 2011
Kicking and Screening Film Festival, Amsterdam, 2011
African World Documentary Film Festival, 2011
11mm Football Film Festival, 2011
BCN Sports Film Festival, Barcelona, 2011

Reviews and Press
“Would recommend to everyone… masterful storytelling”
- A Football Report. (Click here for full review)

*Please Note: Soka Afrika was previously titled Africa Utd