From Underfunded national leagues and abysmal performances on the international stage to Gross Mismanagement of Funds by Troubled Associations, Africa’s Football Associations have not had it easy over the years.
In Present Day, Sports, – and Football in particular, have intimately become interwoven with the developmental issues of the continent.
Admirable Sporting triumphs are being considered yardsticks to their respective nation’s growth.
Individuals, companies and varying Organizations are now using Sports and especially Football, to ‘achieve’ development goals, not in the least the UN Millennium Development Goals.
And as far as Africa’s footballing setting is concerned, the game is still greatly influenced by Social, Cultural, Economic, Religious and Political views and factors and even academic research on projects as regards sports development, is still in its early stages after all these years.
Indeed, More and better research/evaluation has become necessary to properly ascertain in the various countries’ footballing associations, how to tackle this menace, which projects work, which don’t, and Why.
This article, however, is not an evaluation nor does it intend to oppose or criticize any project or any of the Football Associations.
Rather, the goal here is to shed some light on the major themes surrounding “current-day” African football, proffer suggestions on how to tackle these recurring issues, giving credits where due and basically stating the obvious state of things in the continent’s footballing space.
This way, Whoever wants to set up or strengthen football and its projects in Africa, gets to be aware of and take into consideration these basic realities.
These realities -as numerous as they may be, have been observed to fall into either of the below:
The complex ‘context’ within which Football development projects (FDP) in Africa operate. (From Association – domestic league – Club – Players)
Football in Africa is rarely played for Football’s sake or the fun of it. Always Hidden Agendas.
This article may sound very critical of the various FAs in Africa but it’s not intentional.
Anyone who loves the game as much as I believe millions of Africans do will find this article thought-provoking rather than offensive.
We are just tired of being considered “not good enough”.
Let’s delve into it shall we?
The Football organizations on the continent -like any other around the world, aren’t devoid of its vastness and complexity.
Despite these dynamic complexities, it is not uncommon to see numerous powerful individuals hold certain powers over their respective countries’ footballing associations and don’t hold back in wielding such powers.
But it’s worse in Africa. Corruption is still deeply seething its fangs in the veins of nations’ Football Associations.
Even with all the growing corruption charges against the unlucky few who have been caught in recent times, Africa’s footballing associations still suffer from these venoms.
Sadly, the truth remains that a good number of these greedy urchins can still be found lurking around the corridors of footballing powers, and are just there to satisfy their pockets if the opportunity presents itself.
Yes! No gain saying that Many of them aren’t there for the development of the game in their countries and Africa at large.
Of course, Many of these people have not kicked a ball once before or even tried going professional and as a result, aren’t as passionate as one would expect of the leading individuals of the game in their respective countries.
And because these “Many” are involved in the Sponsoring and Running of the game, and as such, are more concerned primarily about their investments and personal needs, there’s little or no attention paid to the state of the game and what it entails in present time.
Indeed, Football isn’t always about scoring goals on the field of Play; it’s also about ” scoring credible goals” in the world of finance and politics.
But here’s the catch. Keyword, Credibility.
Gross Mismanagement of Funds by hierarchical structures that have been put in place by the respective African countries in conjunction with CAF, has led to “sweeping under the carpet” the fact that Africa remains One of the highest recipients of Huge monetary donations from all over the world.
FIFA’s standing statutes of non-interference have often meant corrupt leaders continuing in their positions for decades. It begs the question can football be given the deep-rooted and structured nature of corruption?”
Alas, Questioning Where these funds go and who is to be accountable for it almost looks like a bad movie plot. No one wants to see it.
Everyone turns an eye away. And When There’s a loud cry of “Foul play” from one or two sources, and nobody is held accountable, we just shrug our shoulders and decide to move on from that. Rinse and Repeat.
Keyword, No accountability.
Take the Hayatou – Ahmad case for example. Gross misappropriation of funds would have lifted the gloom off the face of African football if it had been utilized the right way.
Indeed, Most of Africa’s football FAs are still waddling in the murky waters of bribery and it’s not a surprise when the high number of banned footballing officials – from referees to Presidents of the various associations – is taken into consideration.
It’s a good thing lengthy bans and hefty fines are now being charged and pressed upon guilty individuals and as a result, the bad eggs are gradually being collected and removed from the crate.
Indeed, It’s commendable now in various countries when a retired player who gave everything to the game and has an undeniable passion for Football, Speaks against the ills of his/her respective football association, points out the problems, proffers solutions or aims for the number one seat in his/her country’s football Association.
It gives the common fan and true lover of the game, a different look at the possibilities the game may be open to possess, and a reassuring hope that at least someone who has worn the shoe before and knows where it pinches, is at the helm.
Take Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba as prime examples.
The last concluded World Cup, Russia 2018, recorded another embarrassing moment for African football. None of the continent’s representative managed to make it past the knockout stages and this begs the question,
Is Africa not good enough to put on a show on the international stage?
Route to the big stage, these countries qualified with little or no fuss, tearing their
opposition apart and exerting dominance with reckless abandon but on getting to the grand occasion, struggled to register wins and practically huffed and puffed with no hopes for progression.
With their respective exits from Russia following their poor showing, stories started making the rounds of poor management and support from some of the FAs of the participating country.
In this case, Take Nigeria. Players were said to have been owed match bonuses and incentives and even before their exit, whispers and murmurs were already making rounds within the camp.
This begs the question ” Where did the money and the support promised go?”
No answers. As usual, Rinse and Repeat. This little example
– Out of the numerous that could be pointed out, shows how debilitating
Coming to the Issue of Team selections, it’s a known fact that most Football Associations have a say in the general makeup of the team.
From the Coaching Crew, and its staffing members to the Players invited to Camp. the structures put in place by most of Africa’s footballing associations are.
It’s also not old news that many players who get involved in qualifying rounds, do not get picked for the main event. This trend is obnoxious.
Does it mean that these dropped players, who are mostly domestic league players, aren’t good enough for the international stages? After giving their all to secure qualifications?
This is why president of the Cameroon Football Association (FECAFOOT) , Samuel Eto’o-Fils, has stamped his foot down for this year’s World Cup squad list.
Players who participated in the qualifications round and secured the ticket are all going to the big stage in Qatar.
No favouritism whatsoever. Cameroon will fly Africa’s Flag in Qatar alongside Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal and Morocco.
This is a good step in the right direction. Players – whether Foreign or local-based – should be rewarded based on their passion on the field of Play as well as their dedication and influence to their national teams only.
Some of these foreign-based players shun invites from their countries for less important matches like friendlies and qualification matches without reason, and all of a sudden are pressing to be put in the match day squad for the big games.
This is wrong. No Player is bigger than his country I reiterate.
There needs to be an awakening from passionate lovers of the game who are spearheading their country’s footballing agendas. Eto’o-Fils – esque.
Didier Drogba, a former African player of the Year, has also put in the work in making not only his country United through Sports, but has also, alongside other ex-players like him, encouraged and supported the Cote D’Ivoire national Team time and again, making them a strong force to be reckoned with on the African Soil again after their slight decline.
These are just a few of the notable many who are trying in their capacity – despite all the Maladministration their footballing associations may be up against- to improve the standard of the game in their respective countries and on the continent as a whole.
Way to go Eto and Drogba.
Cries of “let’s give the domestic players a Chance too…” ” They deserve the same consideration as their foreign-based counterparts…” and other similar chants and slogans have rendered the air for a long time whenever team selection details are given out to the Media.
Fans and critics alike debate the team sheets and decide who deserves a spot or not on the team in their books. And almost every time, these foreign-based players are often favored over their domestic counterparts.
Who wouldn’t want well-trained players in their camp?
Players who are more exposed than their peers? Players who have been better trained to see, conquer or adapt? Why won’t the foreign-based players be more preferred? Well, If we’re to be honest, the standard of the game, infrastructures, exposure and the financial benefits that a player may have access to in say, Turkey’s Super Lig, is very different and better than what is obtainable in a league like Elite 1 of Cameroon, or the NPFL in Nigeria.
Hence this preference for foreign players by Technical Advisors and Coaches of Various National Teams.
Local leagues and domestic clubs on the continent are poorly – and largely – run unprofessionally except in a few countries like Egypt and South Africa that can boast of at least commendable infrastructures that improve their league standard many times over when compared to their neighbors around the continent.
And even with these well-structured facilities, the game there isn’t bereft of Match-fixing and corruption charges left right and centre.
This has led to many Indigenous players seeking refuge in international clubs. These international clubs also send scouts that pry away the best players from their various domestic African Leagues.
Either way, the best talents off the continent sooner or later go to ply their trade
on the international scene.
Back to infrastructure, Footballing infrastructure across Africa is in a bad state.
Only a few countries have benefited from hosting international events like the World Cup or at least the Africa Cup of Nations, which has led to the building and renovation of some stadiums. These stadiums are in turn used by domestic clubs in the leagues after this event is done. These stadiums improve the league quality and Ranking.
On the whole, however, Sports infrastructure in Africa is debilitating as these stadiums eventually turn out to be poorly maintained and no longer comfortable for fans within the stadium.
This affects match-day attendances which in turn, affects the league’s domestic clubs ; most of whom depend on ticketing and gate entrance fees for survival.
Stadium deaths are also due to a contempt for Spectator Safety by the administrators. The use of non -professional security personnel in stadiums is also a reason.
When money isn’t invested into proper security measures during games, pitch invasion that could turn chaotic would be a steady Occurrence.
Take the most recent match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Ghana’s Black Stars.
Not so much is indeed left to be desired from that match. Anyway, these numerous factors have made attending domestic games dangerous.
When You look at it, Africa seems to have been left behind in the Commercialization and Globalization of the game all thanks to Maladministration.
Amazing Mega deals with television stations and company sponsorship are becoming greatly reduced and will continue to be reduced to nothing if these corrupt ways of administration are not eradicated.
In some countries such as Zimbabwe, very few corporate companies want to be associated with the national association as many companies have been duped into financing personal franchises and aggrandizement in the past.
Change is Constant and Only when Change is directed towards positivity, will growth be seen to emerge.
Indeed, Football Will always remain Popular and a part of the Social fabric of Africa.
Therefore, If the Current organizational Malfeasance of the varying FAs – from the Top in the form of CAF, to the least grassroot support association of local leagues- is nipped in its bud or cut down from its sprawling roots, Africa may yet revive its dying footballing heritages.
Footballing associations should pay more attention to their Domestic leagues by providing High-grade Infrastructure maintenance and renovations, Sound administrative management, Improved Facilities with Serious Youth Development Strategies, and Better Coach Training, Workshops and Seminars.
Money should be invested in the grassroots and not flown into the pockets of corrupt Officials. Local clubs face great challenges in sustaining themselves in the long run and this support from their respective FAs would go a long way in easing the burden on their backs.
Truth be told, It’s not proper to continuously task the government to provide funds and sponsor sporting events without proper jurisdiction in the monitoring of how these funds are to be expended.
International Clubs find it very easy to “Scout” and “Secure” signings of amazing players from these Domestic clubs and for paltry sums too. These players go on to turn out for these international countries on the field of Play. From Kante, to Pogba, Dembele to Depay, the list is endless.
Prying talent from the shores of the continent should come at a huge Price that benefits not only the Player and the clubs involved but also the league as a whole while the governing body of the respective countries encourages domestic league players with better financial incentives and pay grades. This way, the number of exports will be reduced.
Africa will retain some of its best while encouraging imports from overseas.
Imagine the influx of Asian and South American players if only our leagues were on par or better than theirs.
Though the introduction of satellite televisions and the increased accessibility to these Internet/Sat-Tvs hurts the viewership of domestic league match days in stadiums due to a favouring of the international leagues, more domestic leagues can salvage the situation to their gain, sign profitable TV rights deals and also go on TV.
The South African, Ethiopian and Kenya leagues are already beneficiaries of this. More domestic leagues should follow suit.
For African Football, all hope isn’t lost yet.
This should be considered a step in the right direction. With the entrance and rise to prominence of great Ex-players like Eto’o, Drogba, Okocha, and passionate individuals like Motsepe, Pinnick, etc heading their various countries’ footballing Associations , and the allowing of the different “Fair Play” and ” No to Corruption”
campaigns to thrive, Africa may yet just Crown its first World Cup Winner in no distant Time.
Meanwhile, Good luck to the Africa’s Flag Bearers in Qatar. Make the Motherland Proud.
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