From underneath corrugated tin shacks comes the distant metallic clatter of early morning chores. The promise of plantains and hot milk; Breakfast. As the wind changes the acrid smell of the first firewood of the day floats towards the beach and out to sea.
Defying their mothers the local children are already on the beach playing football; skipping intently through puddles of sandy brown water they kick tightly wound balls of rags and elastic bands among piles of refuse. In the watery light of dawn their skinny chests bare the torn strips and faded club crests of teams from across Europe: Schalke. Ajax. Torino. Portsmouth. Benfica.
Behind the children, on Accra’s dusty beach road, a giant weather-beaten billboard poster of Chelsea star, Michael Essian stands guard over the foul littered bay: Holding out a ball dotted with black stars, his country’s national symbol, the Ghana midfielder beckons fans to “Be Proud.”
By mid-afternoon the youngsters will still be on the beach, skipping school or their chores, as they dream of becoming the next African millionaire to play in the Champions League for Chelsea; but by dusk their games will be less carefree.
At the children’s’ side, egging them on to run, pass, think quicker, will be a growing legion of unlicensed agents and coaches, intent on finding one thing and one thing only: The next Michael Essian. The next multi-million pound golden ticket out. The child’s education, his right to play and grow gently into adulthood are all deemed irrelevant.
The sad truth is that only a fraction of West African children will ever make money from football. But the dream of fame, fortune, a new house for a proud mother, and a chance to live and play in Europe overcomes reality. Unscrupulous agents take advantage of poor, uneducated, hopeful families - "your son is talented" they will say, "we just need to get him in front of the right people". And with that, impoverished families hoping this could be their ticket out of the slum invest everything so that their boy will follow Essian's call and make them proud.