Insight-led consult driving measurable impact & sustainable football growth for clubs, leagues & federations across Africa. ⚽️ | 📧 [email protected]
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BOLD. CONTINENTAL. UNSTOPPABLE
@AfriEliteSeries - Africa’s premier preseason destination for Elite Clubs - Where football meets culture, tourism & innovation
The Africa Elite Series debuts in 2027 — bigger, stronger, and ready to redefine preseason football.
#AfricaEliteSeries #Coming2027
🌍 ZANZIBAR is officially the home of the Africa Elite Series through 2029! A landmark partnership between the Ministry of Information, Arts, Culture and Sports, Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) and The Return Pass Consult will position Zanzibar as Africa's premier preseason football destination.
FULL STORY: tinyurl.com/mr8ezy3h
⚽ AES 2027 📅 31 Jul – 8 Aug 2027
#AfricaEliteSeries #AES2027 #WhereChampionsPrepare
HOST CITY ANNOUNCEMENT
Not every stadium is built for matches.
Some are built to create legacy.
Not every city is made for football.
Some become symbols of ambition
A major announcement is coming soon from one of Africa's most exciting football destinations. 👀
@AESCares_ #AES2027
WE HAVE OUR VENUE CONFIRMED FOR 2027 🏟️
Something special is taking shape on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
A venue. A vision. A partnership that will help shape the future of Pre-Season football in Africa.
Stay tuned. 🌍⚽
@AESCares_ @thereturnpass
#AfricaEliteSeries #AES2027 #AfricanExcellence
The Return Pass retweeted
Hello World, Let's introduce you to #AESCARES
The social impact movement of @AfriEliteSeries
👉We believe that where a child is born should never determine how far they can go.
👉We believe opportunity should be universal.
👉We believe communities grow stronger when children are protected, educated, healthy, and empowered.
👉We believe football has the power to inspire, unite, and mobilize action.
👉But our greatest victories will never be measured by trophies.
👉They will be measured by lives changed.
👉By dreams unlocked.
👉By futures transformed.
👉Because beyond every match is a child waiting for opportunity.
And that is why WE CARE.
AES CARES
DID YOU KNOW?
At #AES2027, we’re not just creating a pre-season competition. We’re building a platform for learning, innovation, and collaboration.
The Football Technology, Innovation & Coaching Forum will bring together leading @CAFCLCC coaches to exchange ideas, challenge thinking, and help shape the future of African football.
Together We Grow. 🌍⚽
“In the modern game, a manager's role extends far beyond tactics and formations. It's about leadership, culture, communication, and creating a shared vision that everyone can believe in.”
#TheReturnPass
Loving the connection between the fans and Arsenal Football Club. 🔴⚪️
Thank you, Mikel Arteta 🤝
The journey didn’t start smoothly, but enormous credit must go to Arteta for leading a complete club transformation, from the boardroom to the pitch, while bringing the fans along every step of the way.
The lesson here is worth reflecting on:
When hiring a manager, should the ability to connect the club with its supporters be one of the key criteria for evaluation?
In the modern game, a manager's role extends far beyond tactics and formations. It's about leadership, culture, communication, and creating a shared vision that everyone can believe in.
The job of a modern manager is about more than Xs and Os. It's about uniting a club.
The Return Pass retweeted
“Teams that stick to their identity, are the ones that succeed long-term” - Fabian Hurzeler
Video 🎥: @RestIsFootball
ACADEMY EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME
Mali is widely recognized as one of Africa’s premier talent factories, consistently producing top-tier talents for the global game.
Last week, we conducted a strategic consultation visit alongside the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) to analyze the local academy ecosystem and identify opportunities to optimize talent identification, coach and player education, player pathways, and resource utilization across the country.
Special thanks to ABM Foot Academy, FC Mali Coura, Étoiles Du Mandé, and JMG Academy for their warm hospitality and collaborative spirit.
Talent development must be deliberate—maximizing raw potential requires building systems that match the passion of the players.
#TheReturnPass
In football leadership, knowledge isn’t the missing piece- it’s everywhere, shared and accessible
Here’s the missing piece ⤵️
The Return Pass retweeted
I firmly believe that foreign coaches in our domestic leagues should only be those with proven experience in the top two divisions of their own countries.
If a coach cannot secure employment at that level back home, why should we entrust them with a role in our top league? In such cases, I would rather give the opportunity to a domestic coach and ensure we create the best possible environment to support his/her growth.
Of course, the challenge remains with our own coach education programs, that make this principle difficult to fully implement 🤦🏾♂️
NEW SEASON LOADING
We aspire to be the trusted partner that helps Clubs, Leagues, Federations, and Athletes not only reach peak performance today but also build resilient foundations for tomorrow.
#TheReturnPass
A New Era for Coach Education in 🇺🇬
Last Week, The Return Pass worked with @OfficialFUFA to redesign the CAF A Diploma course, using the CAF Coaching Convention as our guiding framework.
The new structure is built for true transformation. Across 10 months, delivered in 5 progressive learning blocks, coaches will move through a journey designed to help them turn their coaching philosophy into a clear identity — and ultimately into a fully‑built game model they can apply on the field.
By the end of the course, every coach will have:
✨ A documented and evidence‑based game model
✨ A practical methodology that translates ideas into periodized training and elite learning environment
✨ A refined leadership style grounded in self‑awareness and modern coaching practice
✨ The full set of competency areas that define a CAF A Diploma coach — and additional advanced capabilities
This redesign ensures that Uganda’s top coaches grow with clarity and purpose, strengthening the technical future of Ugandan and African football.
We believe coach education should be more than a certificate — it should be a journey of transformation.
A sincere thank you to @SimonSpjennings from Ahead of the Game for his outstanding support in delivering the first module in 🇺🇬.
#CoachEducation #CAFADiploma
Dear Clubs,
When a football club’s vision, staff, and operations are truly aligned, every pass counts — on and off the pitch.
Strategic alignment drives efficiency, fuels smarter decisions, & builds sustainable success that wins fans, sponsors, and 🏆
#StrategyMatters
PRESS RELEASE: @AfriEliteSeries
Africa Elite Series will not take place this year due to the unavailability of the intended venue and the readiness of essential facilities required to deliver the high-performance standards the event represents.
