A visit to Guinea led to an official football development partnership. NEXTGEN Foundation founder Chris Vermeeren spent time at SOAR Academy, saw the talent and ambition in the environment, and continued discussions that led to a formal strategic partnership.
SOAR Academy describes the cooperation as a joint effort to strengthen the development of young Guinean footballers, particularly academy residents, while improving technical, organisational and coaching standards. SOAR Academy is represented by President Almamy Saïdou Sylla, with support from Mariador Hotels in Conakry.
A partnership built around player development
- Scouting and talent identification
- Individual player monitoring and development planning
- Coach and training methodology exchange
- Athletic preparation and performance analysis
- Sports structure and academy development
- Preparation for the demands of higher level football
- Responsible international pathway creation
NEXTGEN will also use its international football network to help create credible opportunities with professional clubs in Europe when the player and opportunity are ready. The cooperation includes support around monitoring, integration, cultural adaptation and continued development during time in Europe.
Create opportunity without losing the player
The partnership reflects the wider NEXTGEN philosophy that a pathway should be more than one trial or one transfer. Development, protection, education, adaptation and the right football environment all matter when a young player moves toward a professional opportunity.
SOAR Academy and Mariador Hotels support the NEXTGEN Africa Team in Guinea
The partnership now supports the NEXTGEN Africa Team directly. Selected players will attend a preparation camp at SOAR Academy in Conakry from 1 to 7 November 2026, where they will train, prepare and be evaluated before the tournament and European trial phases.
Mariador Hotels is the main accommodation sponsor for the Guinea preparation camp. Reliable accommodation for players and staff is an important part of keeping the camp safe, organised and professional.
Together, SOAR Academy and Mariador Hotels make the Guinea phase possible. SOAR provides the football facilities and training environment, while Mariador supports accommodation. That support connects African scouting with preparation, tournaments, evaluation and selected European club trials.
Watch the partnership presentation
The signing and presentation were shared publicly by SOAR Academy and NEXTGEN. The official social media announcement and presentation videos are linked below.
A shared ambition for Guinean football
The partnership combines SOAR Academy’s local development work with NEXTGEN’s international scouting, protection and pathway network. The aim is not simply to move players, but to prepare talented young footballers for the next level while protecting their development and long term future.
