One to Watch, Joseph Ndakala

From Dev Squad Foundations to the Professional Game in Europe

At CC Football Dev Squad, the goal is simple, create an environment where players can challenge themselves, stay sharp, and prepare for the next step in their careers.

Few players represent that journey better than Joseph Ndakala. 

A powerful and dynamic forward, Joseph has recently taken the next step in his career, signing his first professional contract in Europe with Harju JK Laagri in Estonia.

Joseph’s Football Journey

Born in 2007 and holding Canadian, Congolese, and Angolan nationality, Joseph has built his game through a combination of natural ability, resilience, and relentless work ethic.

A natural goal scorer capable of playing across the front line, he has consistently shown his ability to impact games with his strength, speed, power, and finishing ability.

His development includes time within the Vancouver Whitecaps FC system, where he established himself as one of the top attacking players in his age group, including a standout run with 27 goals and 14 assists in 32 matches.

Joseph also gained valuable experience internationally through trials and training opportunities in Europe, including time with Dinamo City in Albania, Moralo CP in Spain, and IMT Belgrade in Serbia, exposing him to different football cultures and professional environments at a young age.

Those experiences helped shape both his mentality and understanding of the game as he continued pushing toward the professional level.

Development with CC Football Dev Squad

Joseph has been part of the CC Football Dev Squad environment since November 2023, originally joining sessions alongside his older brother, Joshue Ndakala. From the very beginning, Joseph stood out for his intensity, competitiveness, and commitment to improving.

Following a knee injury suffered last year, he continued training within the Dev Squad environment throughout his recovery process, using the sessions to gradually rebuild his fitness, confidence, and sharpness. Throughout that period, Joseph consistently showed the mentality that separates players who continue progressing from those who give up when facing adversity. The Dev Squad environment, built around high-intensity sessions and competitive standards, provided him with a platform to stay focused and continue working toward his goals while recovering. His journey is a strong example of how hard work, determination, faith, and consistency can help players overcome setbacks and continue moving forward.

The Dev Squad environment played a key role in Joseph’s progression, particularly during one of the most important periods of his career.

Training alongside ambitious young players and experienced players returning during the offseason, he was constantly pushed to perform at a high level.

The intensity, competitiveness, and structure of the sessions allowed him to not only return to full fitness, but continue improving his game throughout his recovery.

Joseph became a standard within the environment, not just because of his ability, but because of his mindset and consistency.

His journey is a clear example of what Dev Squad is built for, players who commit to the process and continue pushing forward regardless of the obstacles.

Player Profile

Joseph Ndakala is a powerful and direct attacking player capable of playing as a striker or across the wings.

Standing at 189 cm, he combines physical strength with pace and finishing ability, making him a constant threat in attacking areas.

His strengths include:

• Strong physical presence and explosive power
• Clinical finishing and natural goal-scoring instinct
• Ability to play across multiple attacking positions
• Effective 1v1 ability and direct attacking play
• Relentless work ethic and competitive mentality

His combination of athleticism, attacking instinct, and determination makes him a difficult player to defend and an exciting prospect moving forward.

Quick Questions with Joseph Ndakala

1. You’ve had a journey that includes academy football, European experiences, and now your first professional contract. What have those different stages taught you about yourself as a player?

Those journeys mostly taught me that the world of football is truly opinion-based when it comes to coaches yet it’s not about talent or hardwork but mental resilience

2. You’ve been part of CC Football Dev Squad since the early stages. How has that environment helped you develop over time?

In the beginning of stages when CC Football was only a few a people, we as players made sure to bring top level players to boost the intensity and level for whoever was to join. Ever since till now, CC football training helped a bunch of footballers who join top division universities, professional clubs, and more.

3. After your knee injury, you returned to training with CC Football Dev Squad. How important was that environment in helping you get back to full fitness and confidence? 

It was really important for me because there wasn’t many high level trainings going on at the time other than training at CC Football or by myself, so I made sure to use CC Football trainings to my full advantage.

4. What did you learn about yourself mentally during that recovery period?

I’ve learned that football isn’t your life, but more so apart of your life and how much your willing to put in the work, will prevent you from reinjuring yourself in the future.

5. For players going through setbacks or injuries, what would you say about staying patient and trusting the process?

Mostly to not rush the process and to enjoy the journey because that’s where the real thrill is at. No one will run the marathon with you but they’ll wait for you at the finish line to congratulate you. Take your time dedicate yourself.

6. Who are some players you look up to or try to model your game after?

The players I look up to is mostly Didier Drogba for his amazing ability to hold up and drop the ball for his teammates and his hunger for goals and Karim Benzema for his intelligence in and outside the box

7.Now that you’ve signed your first professional contract, what are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward is to reproduce the same energy as I had youth to the professional realm and to one day represent my nations Congo/Canada.

Looking Ahead

Joseph Ndakala’s journey is a powerful reminder that progress in football is not always linear.

Through setbacks, hard work, and belief, he has taken a major step forward, earning his first professional opportunity in Europe.

At CC Football, we’re proud to have been part of that journey from the early stages and to see players like Joseph turn adversity into opportunity.

Joseph Ndakala is definitely one to watch.