BREAKING NEWS: SOUTH AFRICA PREMIER CLUB CAPE TOWN CITY SIGNS PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH FC JOHANSEN

Freetown | 18 November 2021 | Vertex Media

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura

South African top-flight football club Cape Town City FC has entered into partnership agreement with Sierra Leone’s premier league club, FC Johansen. CTC FC confirms this partnership in a Press Release from the club on Thursday morning.

According to the release, this cooperation between the two clubs will strengthen networks in the West African and South African markets, accessing elite talents through football development collaborations, etc.

It further explains that “The cooperation will also engage in knowledge-share programs between the two clubs, allowing for club personnel to visit South Africa and Sierra Leone to elevate best-practice and methodology under CAF in administrative, marketing, and football departments.”

The Managing Director of Cape Town City FC Michel Comits believes their West African partner can benefit from the commercial success of the Premier Super League.

“In FC Johansen, City strengthens its network and knowledge-base in what has historically been the most significant talent producing region in Africa. With the commercial success of the PSL in South Africa, we believe we can add operational value and insights to our West African colleagues, committing to the future of pan-African football objectives.”
– Michel Comitis | Managing Director Cape Town City FC

This latest move could see an interesting developmental transformation in FC Johansen under the Executive leadership of the club’s new CEO, 25 year old Malik Hilger son of owner and founder Isha Johansen who was the former Sierra Leone Football Association boss and currently CAF Executive Committee Member and Fifa Council Member.

The deal will also undoubtedly see the emergence of quality football talents from Sierra Leone being exposed to the South African Premier League, and most importantly for Johansen, youth and coaching development training programs which is part of the agreement.

The CEO of FC Johansen, Malik Hilger also cited the significance of this partnership for his club.

“This is a significant and defining moment for our club. It is also a refreshing new era in football administration and development in our continent.”
– Malik Hilger | CEO FC Johansen

Malik recalls that FC Johansen was born out of the need to take kids from the streets after the Sierra Leone civil war. He explains that her mother, Isha Johansen supported those kids to play football and be educated, and this led to the establishment of FC Johansen in 2004.

Cape Town City FC ranks amongst South Africa’s richest Premier League Club’s with arguably one of the most impressive football academies for technical, youth development and scouting programs. CFC FC has a net worth value of $5.8 million.

The club was founded in 1962 and owned by John Comitis but it is now run by his 27 year old son Michel Comitis.

Malik Hilger, CEO of FC Johansen (son of FIFA Council member Isha Johansen and Tlhopie Motsepe CEO of Mamelodi Sundowns (son of CAF President Patrice Motsepe)

As CAF and African nations are seemingly keen to actively promote football development in the continent as a means of promoting economic growth, the emergence of young African football CEO’s of Premier League Clubs is an exciting and interesting development to follow.