NBA champion Serge Ibaka, alongside Oumarou Idrissa, President and Founder of the Los Angeles-based non-profit organisation Afrikicks, has held high-level discussions in Morocco aimed at advancing football development across Africa.

The engagement brought together senior football administrators, including Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, and CAF Executive Director Sarah Mukuna.

Talks focused on forging strategic partnerships to strengthen grassroots football, identify emerging talent, and create sustainable pathways for young African players into professional careers both within and beyond the continent.

Ms Mukuna highlighted CAF’s administrative and developmental frameworks, stressing the importance of coordinated partnerships that align talent discovery with effective governance and long-term support systems.

As part of the visit, Mr Ibaka, Mr Idrissa and the football officials watched the international fixture between Senegal and Egypt at the Stade de Marrakech. The match underscored the depth of talent and competitiveness in African football, reinforcing calls for sustained investment in youth development.

In a symbolic gesture reflecting unity between global sports figures and African football leadership, Mr Motsepe presented Mr Ibaka with a football signed by the CAF President, representing a shared commitment to sports development and youth empowerment across the continent.

Mr Ibaka emphasised the need for structured programmes that integrate sport, education and mentorship to empower young Africans. Afrikicks reaffirmed its mission to use football as a vehicle for social impact while creating pathways that link African talent to global opportunities.

The initiative was welcomed by CAF and the GFA, with officials noting that partnerships involving athletes, non-profit organisations and football authorities are essential to the long-term growth and sustainability of football in Africa.