By Philemon Mbale
Guest Sports Editor, www.kick442.com
In the modern world of football, talent alone is no longer enough to secure a successful professional career. For Cameroonian footballers, particularly those seeking opportunities abroad, social media has become an essential tool for building their brand, showcasing their skills, and attracting the attention of scouts and agents. As the global football market becomes increasingly competitive, players must learn how to effectively use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube to elevate their profile and open doors to international opportunities.
Our case study is Albert Tiku of ISOHSA Limbe. The lad who moved from Regional league football to Elite glory within two seasons attests to a huge media endeavor by his club who worked tirelessly from behind the scenes to propel his image to the world. Tiku has over 4000 followers on Facebook alone and is arguably the most followed Cameroonian footballer playing in our Elite Division. An entire media team of the club trailed the players exploits from the South West Regional League where he played almost every game for ISOHSA and were crowned champions in 2022. Tiku was the competition’s overall best player. At the National interpools played in Yaoundé same year, the youngster impressed even the then head coach of the Indomitable Lions Rigobert Song as Tiku was voted Most Valuable Player of the interpools and also top scorer, leading his side to the Elite Two competition.
Within two seasons, Tiku moved from grass to grace and was on every newspaper’s sports page. Bloggers and content creators used his exploits to gain likes and views while clubs from around the world took interest in the young boy from Tiko.
1. Creating a Personal Brand.
For Cameroonian footballers, building a personal brand on social media is the first step toward standing out in the crowded world of professional football. A personal brand is not just about skill or achievements on the field—it’s about presenting a consistent image that represents who you are as a player and as a person. To create a strong personal brand:
– Consistency is key: Players should regularly post updates, highlights, and training videos. A consistent presence keeps scouts and fans engaged, showing that the player is serious about their career. A media team or a relative or even someone close to the player with social media management skills can do this for the player.
– Be professional : Footballers must maintain professionalism in their posts and interactions. This means avoiding controversial or negative content that could damage their reputation. Don’t engage in certain topics simply because it is trending on social media. A player made a bad comment few years ago about another club on social media. Five years later the club he insulted showed interest in signing him and so negotiations opened and really advanced. At the 11th hour of signing, a supporter of the club notified the club’s management of the bad comment the player had made five years ago about their club. The deal stalled and the player’s services was eventually dismissed by the buying club.
No pictures of unsportsmanlike activities. How can a footballer’s Facebook name be “International Pro” for example? Pictures of the player with friends hanging out in snack-bars with bottles of beer as decoration?.
– Show personality: While professionalism is crucial, it’s also important to let personality shine through. Whether through sharing personal stories, celebrating victories, or showing behind-the-scenes moments, letting scouts see the human side of a player can build deeper connections. Players can post pictures of themselves in community labour or clean up campaigns. Visits to orphanages and care homes etc.
2. Highlighting Skills and Achievements
One of the most significant advantages of social media is that it gives footballers a direct platform to showcase their abilities to the world. Instead of waiting for scouts to attend a local game, players can post highlight reels, training sessions, and match clips that demonstrate their skills. Here’s how Cameroonian footballers can use social media to highlight their abilities:
– Post regular match highlights: Uploading videos of goals, assists, tackles, and key plays can give scouts a clear idea of a player’s strengths. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are excellent for short, impactful clips, while YouTube allows for longer highlight reels.
– Showcase versatility: Scouts and agents are always on the lookout for players who can excel in different positions or adapt to various styles of play. Posting clips that show versatility can significantly boost a player’s chances of being scouted.
– Share training routines: Videos of fitness training, tactical drills, and technical skills sessions not only show dedication but also give insight into a player’s work ethic and discipline. A player who can demonstrate commitment to improving themselves stands out.
3. Building a Network
Social media isn’t just about posting content—it’s also a valuable tool for networking with other players, coaches, agents, and clubs. For Cameroonian footballers, establishing connections through social media can open doors to international opportunities.
– Engage with fans and peers: Engaging with followers by responding to comments, sharing insights, and connecting with other players creates a supportive community around a footballer’s brand. This visibility makes it more likely for scouts or agents to notice them.
In conclusion, talent they say is responsible for only about 25% of a footballer’s chances to succeed as a professional. Other off-pitch attributes such as discipline, hard work, responsibility, good attitude and just like we have seen, social media presence add up to the remaining 75% success rate for footballers today. The social media can be a stepping stone as well as a road block for a promising footballer depending on how he or she uses it.
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