By Robert Ocholla
Every four years the World is treated to a congregation that the United Nations, all Religions and Politicians are enviable of. This is a meeting of hearts and souls from all corners of the World congregating in a Country to witness and be part of the Football World Cup celebrations.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the international associations where affirmative action does not exist. As the World looks at giving more opportunities to underprivileged persons or over populated areas, FIFA does the opposite.
Europe with 47 Countries has the Lions share at the Football spectacle with 13 representatives whereas Africa with 54 countries only has 5 representatives at the tournament and has hosted it only once. Sadly Africa with all its prayers and footballing witchcraft has never advanced past the quarter final.
Four years ago when the finals were being held in South Africa, Ghana were on the verge of qualifying for the Semifinals, a sure shot at goal was deliberately handled by the ever biting ever controversial Uruguayan Luis’s Suarez and the subsequent Penalty shot missed by Asamoah Gyan.
“Surely God does not Love Africa,” exclaimed a football fan when Uruguay won that match. God loves Africa, its Africa that does not love itself.
Africa is well represented in Brazil with Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. A very good line up it looks with Nigeria boosting of a strong squad and being the African champions. Star studded Ivorians include the Toure brothers, Gervinho and talismanic Didier Drogba basically all the players are all stars plying their trade in top European clubs. Ghana is strong youthful and talented and Cameroon led by one of the best strikers in the World Samuel Eto’o can be a contender and last but not least is Algeria, the only representative not from West Africa has a squad that has great depth and team work.
With all that it seems that 2014 is the African year but is it so?? Africa has taken its Africanism to the footballing World stage. First Cameroon almost fails to fly due to unpaid player allowances and even after getting their payment, two players were involved in a scuffle during play. Assou-Ekotto head-butted fellow team mate Benjamin Moukandjo.
As if that was not enough bad publicity for the Continent, Ghana Black stars had threatened to boycott their last match against Portugal if all their allowances were not paid. The Country’s President had to order around 3 million dollars in cash airlifted to the team’s camp.
Even with money in the pocket two of the Country’s top stars Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari were expelled from the team’s camp. Coach, Kwesi Appiah said that Boateng was expelled after hurling vulgar verbal insults at the Coach during the team’s training session. Muntari on the other hand was expelled in the wake of his unprovoked physical attack of a senior team official.
Surely football’s god does not love Africa, Ivory Coast were knocked out of the tournament courtesy of a goal at the dying minutes of their match against Greece. The Elephants were on course to a draw guaranteeing them a place on the second round when Greek god Zeus magically, brought down Georgios Samaras to earn them a last minute spot kick. The resulting goal bid farewell to the Elephants.
Who is conspiring over the hardworking Africans at the World Cup? Could it be Africans themselves, FIFA, football gods, our own witch-doctors or money?
So the real Africanists are asking why so negative about Africa yet Uruguayan star striker Luis Suarez is biting opponents. His, is a one man fantasy with human skin and blood. One’s man meat to him is not poison but gratification.
With Nigeria’s and Algeria’s qualification into the knock-out stage, let’s pray for Africa!