Mr Ammann talks with enormous pride of how the academy nurtures the children. "We try to protect them, and to teach them responsibility, to help them to become men. Some of the boys come here and they can't even read or write."

But Mr Ammann then moves on to talk in more general terms about African "attitudes," how "African bodies are different," and about the rhythmic training that he's introduced at the beginning of every day.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager, takes a similar line - up to a point. He's visiting the club during a flying visit to the country, having just agreed to take charge of Ivory Coast's World Cup team.