QUESTIONS
Match the paragraphs in the text to one of the following headings.
1) Parents and the Slave Trade
2) No Money for Contacts
3) The Problem of Agents
4) The Responsibility of the Parents
5) Willing to take the Chance
6) Agents in African Football
7) A Chase for Cheap Players
8) Exploiting African Resources again
9) John Shittu & Daniel Fletcher
10) The Threat of Poverty
11) The Greatest African Footballer
12) An Example of Agents' Behaviour
TRUE, FALSE OR NOT GIVEN?
Read the following statements, and decide whether, according to the text, they are true or false, or whether it is impossible to say.
1) Europe is once again exploiting Africa for its human resources.
2) According to Le Roy, agents could become a problem in the future.
3) Le Roy is happy for his players to move to Europe provided that the business is conducted fairly.
4) George Weah ended his life in poverty.
5) African players who travel to Europe are guaranteed that expenses, including air-fares, will be covered.
6) Footballers from the DRC now have role-models in foreign leagues to follow.
7) Le Roy and Milla come from the same country.
8) Parents often sell their houses so that their sons can have trials in Europe.
SENTENCE MATCHING
Match the people from the text with one of the sentence fragments.
1) John Obi Mikel 2) Kalou
3) Andre Ntoma 4) Didier Drogba
5) Daniel Fletcher 6) Sori Toure
a) ... is cheaper than European players.
b) ... thinks poor people don't consider the consequences of trying to make it in Europe.
c) ... thinks his client is being pressured.
d) ... is probably a successful footballer.
e) ... paid 2,200 Euros for contacts.
f) ... would love to earn the money young players abroad get.
g) ... still hopes to play in Europe.
h) ... plays in Marseille.
i) ... is at the centre of a transfer scandal.
j) ... is protecting his client from death threats.
GAP-FILL SUMMARY
Read the following summary, and fill in each gap using no more than three words. The words may, but do not have to, come from the text.
African football is facing a problem where 1) ________ are exploiting players who want to play 2) ________. Often, the players, who think they will be able to earn 3) ________ abroad, end up poor and alone. In addition, 4) ________ can make the situation worse by pushing their sons to make the trip.
Western European 5) ________ like African players as they are 6) ________ than European footballers; 7) ________, this is only true if the player is young and unknown. As a result, clubs use agents to find find talented players as 8) ________ as possible, which can lead to problems for all involved.
9) ________ there is a chance of ending up poor, many Africans are prepared to risk it all for the opportunity of stardom. Some will even enter Europe 10) ________; they think the possible advantages outweigh the real risks they face.