Ritchie Hinton, from Melbourne based Elite Sports Properties, says African players can be a cost-effective yet quality solution for many A-League clubs.

However, one major problem with players straight from Africa is acquiring the appropriate visas. Australia’s tough immigration laws make it very difficult for Africans to travel here to attend trials.

And FIFA’s strict rules on the international transfer of U18 players, training compensation for U23 players, limited resources for A-League clubs to scout players first-hand and limited DVD access to African players all conspire against raiding Africa for cheap talent. 

However, this season we’ve already seen Togolese defender Erik Akoto and Ugandan hitman Eugene Sseppuya make their mark at North Queensland Fury. And last season, Ivorian Adama Traore was one of the stars at Gold Coast United as a marauding left back.

Hinton believes some undiscovered gems are in Africa and has floated the draft camp idea to a number of A-League clubs.

“The suggestion is to arrange a ‘draft camp’ in a country such as the Ivory Coast through our contacts there, where around 200 of the best players from the region who fit the club’s requirements are brought together for a two-week period,” Hinton, a former UK-based footballer, tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

This would enable A-League clubs to identify the players first hand, and do the necessary paperwork on the ground. “This would make the visa process a lot easier,” he adds.

Of course, such an idea could be implemented in other areas around the world by other agencies who have similar contacts in that particular region. Costa Rica for example is one nation that comes to mind.

In Italy a similar idea to the draft camp idea already exists. In effect it’s a mobile draft camp. A ‘team’ of trialists tour the country during off-season providing opposition for various Serie A and B sides in camp for the season ahead.

Last season Australian VPL player Ralph Napoli was chosen by an agent to play on the Italian tour and if provides the dual role of both shop-window for players and opposition for teams trying out new players and systems.

And like the AFL - which runs various draft camps to help showcase young talent to onlooking AFL coaches - the FFA could theoretically set up its own draft camps, particularly in regional areas of Australia, and invite all A-League coaches.

What's more, if the current Nike: The Chance trials are any indication, regional Australia is getting better at developing their local talent.

North Queensland in particular caught the eye of Nike The Chance coach Ron Smith, who is searching the country for talented youngsters who will be given trials in the UK thanks to the sportswear giant.

As for the African plan, Hinton says players from that region do fit the Aussie mentality.  

“The one big benefit that African players have over players coming from Europe or Asia is that they are cheap, and generally seem to be less needy when it comes to settling them in," he said.

“Some of the South Americans that have graced our shores have arrived with huge family entourages, unrealistic demands about accommodation, flights, cars and similar things.”

He added: “The African players have tended to have a humility about them which has endeared them to their new clubs and team-mates quickly.”