Sports

By Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani 

I had initially not titled this article “AFCON: The gigantic tournament” not because I had less respect for it hitherto. “I’ve heard that so often, that there’s no international break until March,” Jurgen Klopp said. “In January, there’s a little tournament in Africa, I just want to say, and I think Asia is playing games, too – South America as well. Great, can’t wait!” But I have done so now primarily to respond to the purported disregard, misinformation, or rather outright disrespect directed at the most prestigious football tournament in Africa, which Jurgen Klopp’s comment on the African Cup of Nations seems to convey, as less relevant.  I have tremendous respect for Klopp, one of the finest tacticians in football. I can’t certainly say he meant to disrespect the AFCON, though, this doesn’t stop me from tackling what is gradually gaining credence in Europe whether glaringly or subtly: the scanty regard for AFCON. 

I had once written an article titled the Pinnacle of African football and the quest for glory. It would have been published ahead of the last edition of AFCON in Egypt. However, it was never published. The said title aptly captured how I view African football. I believe this is how the vast majority of African football fanatics regard it. And no amount of disrespect, misunderstanding, red herrings, or disinformation could alter that. 

The biggest event in African football commences on 9th January,  with five times Champions Cameroon taking on Burkina Faso in Olembe Stadium in Yaounde. It is the curtain-raiser for the most important tournament in African football. The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, known as the Total 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, is the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the tournament will be hosted by Cameroon, the Champions of the 31st edition. The competition was held in June/July in the previous edition, which Algeria won. 

But this edition has been moved back to January/February. Cameroon were to host the last edition, only for them to be stripped of the hosting right in  November 2018 mainly for three reasons: Anglophone crisis, delays in the delivery of critical infrastructure, and the Boko Haram crisis. This edition of the AFCON has come with numerous challenges even before it starts. Strong opposition has come from many angles centred on the timing of the AFCON. Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reverted back to AFCON’s traditional calendar, as against the normal Summer calendar used in major international competitions like the World Cup and European Football competition, though the former is set to be played in November this year, unlike the prior editions. 

The bulk of the opposition to the timing of the AFCON has understandably come from European clubs, who have a lot to lose by having some of their key players miss some features for the duration of the AFCON. These have made many clubs to devise means to keep their players against the wishes of the players or in collaboration with the players. This has allegedly seen some of the clubs going out of their ways to engage in unethical practices in order to keep their players from playing for their countries. We heard former Super Eagles player, John Ogu made startling revelations about his manager asking him to fake injuries in order to prevent him from playing for the Nigerian national team, ‘not even surprised at the situation of the foreign managers or clubs not wanting their players to go represent their country in tournaments,’ Ogu tweeted.

‘One certain manager in Portugal asked [that] I tell the coach of Eagles then that I was injured so as not to go for a friendly game.

‘After I left, went back to the club, he stopped playing me, and this was prior to the World Cup coming that year. I made mentioned it here and many out here said I was lying and so on. Una don see how them be now?’

Ogu, who eventually missed out on the 2014 tournament, has been without a club in 2020, as reported by Goal.com Africa.

‘I missed out on that World Cup list,’ he continued. “The evil part of it was when the list came out and he found out I wasn’t invited, man, walk up to me and asked I call the manager to list me and that if he wants, he can start me in the last game in the league.” ‘I was shocked how evil one can be.’  You could see the length some of these clubs could go. It is absurd, gratuitous, unacceptable, and a blatant disregard for African football and Africa in general. 

European Club Association wrote FIFA, stating why they might not release players for AFCON: health, the welfare of players, and the timing of the AFCON. The ECA further accused African football affiliated associations of failing to “properly implement protocols with worrying degrees of negligence.” The ECA said they would release African players for the forthcoming 2021 African Cup of Nations only when national football associations in Africa meet certain stringent conditions. At its meeting of December 2, 2021, the ECA in an official letter to FIFA Deputy Secretary-General Matthias Grafstrom and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), made their position known, especially with the raging Omicron variant of Covid_19. The ECA mandated FIFA and CAF to ensure necessary precautions are in place to protect players and club interests ahead of the tournament.

I have to concede that there are vital issues to iron out in the timing of the AFCON and the ECA are entitled to protect their interests. So also are CAF and its member associations. CAF will be unfair to its affiliated associations if it remains adamant on the current calendar merely to prove a point that it has sufficient grounds. However, all these don’t give the ECA the impetus let alone the justification to insult African football. Going forward there should be a clearly defined means, concessions, and major decisions must be made by all stakeholders for a mutually beneficial solution.

I know certainly that if it were the other way round: The backlash from the European press, clubs, and fans would have been deafening. A Series of sanctions would have been in place on those clubs from FIFA. CAF, FIFA, and all stakeholders should treat this matter thoroughly with a view to finding a lasting solution that has the players, the fans, and everyone in mind. Above all, a workable remedy that upholds the dignity of Africans and aids the development of the beautiful game should be rigorously pursued. 

Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani Writes from Turaki B, Jalingo, Taraba State and can be contacted via abdulrazaksansani93@gmail.com.

By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf

Compared to its more illustrious continental equivalents, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) receives far little media fanfare. With its scheduling in the winter when European football is well underway, the AFCON has been a pain in the ass for many a European club. And the actions on the pitch so far have elicited little excitement among watching fans. Goals have been at a premium, with just nine goals scored in the opening eight games in the tournament, making it a ratio of just over a goal a game.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria took on the Pharaohs of Egypt in a much-anticipated clash of African football titans. With Mohamed Salah at his mesmerizing best for his club, Liverpool and Nigeria having to play without two of its most in-form forwards, Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis, who are unavailable for various reasons, many pundits and bookmakers earmarked Egypt as the favourite. However, the Eagles didn’t read the script. As soon as the match kicked off, the Nigerians asserted themselves and dominated the early exchanges. However, they were made to wait until the 30^th minute of the game before they got the deserved breakthrough.

Moses Simon, who was a menace for the Egyptian defence all first-half long, left the Egyptian full-back, Tawfik, for dead before putting in a teasing cross that Hegazy partly cleared. The ball fell nicely to Joe Aribo, who directed the ball to Kelechi Iheanacho, who fired an unstoppable missile into the Egyptian net to send thousand Nigerians who crossed the border to Garoua to watch the game into rapture. That was to prove the game’s only goal that turned into a topsy-turvy affair in the second half.

If the Super Eagles were great in the first half, they were effective in the second. The Pharaohs improved massively in the second half. However, the Nigerians fashioned many gilt-edged chances on the break. With a little more composure in front of the goal, the Super Eagles would have won by at least three clear goals. But, assisted by the evergreen Wilfred Ndidi and the silky Joe Aribo at the middle of the park, the Nigerian defence line comprised Ola Aina, Troos-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Zaidu Sunusi successfully managed the unenviable task of keeping Mohamed Salah at bay.

Credit must go to the coach Agustin Eguavon who made his debut today. The Super Eagles had been a shamble for long stretches at the end of Gernot Rohr’s tenure. If this match is anything to go by, the future looks promising for the Super Eagles. Of course, as a traditional footballing powerhouse in the continent, Nigeria goes to any AFCON tournament as one of the favourites. However, it is still early days, and there are better teams in this tournament than the Pharaohs. So, I think Nigeria has an outside chance to go over the finish line.  

Aliyu is a lecturer at the Department of English and Literary Studies, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via aliyuyy@gmail.com.

By our Reporter who is in Garoua

Hours ahead of Nigeria’s Group D opener against the Pharaohs of Egypt, many residents of Garoua have expressed their support for the Super Eagles and vowed to cheer the Nigerian national team to victory. 

After a grand opening ceremony, the twice-postponed Africa Cup of Nations finally kicked off on Sunday in Yaounde. The opening match ended with the hosts, Cameroon, beating Burkina Faso 2:1 to lead Group A.

Nigeria, playing in Group D alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau, will get into action Tuesday evening against the Mohamed Salah-led Egyptians. All Group D matches will be played at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.

Thousands of Super Eagles fans have stormed the Northern Cameroon town “to offer their maximum support” for Nigeria’s national team “to emerge victorious”. While many arrived by air, fans mostly from northern Nigerian states crossed the land and water borders between Nigeria and Cameroon through Adamawa state.

Garoua, a predominantly Fulani Muslim town, is wearing a new look with all major roads and streets adorned in Cameroon flags alongside flags of other participating countries. Nigerian flags can be sighted in many different locations, including on cars and motorbikes, signalling the level of support the Super Eagles have among Cameroonians as well as Nigerians residing in the country.

Many residents interviewed by TDR throw their weight behind the Super Eagles in the promising encounter against the North African opponents “in the spirit of good neighbourliness”, they said. 

“Though I like Salah (Liverpool star who is expected to lead the Egyptian onslaught against Nigeria), I will support Nigeria. When they play against Cameroon, I will support my country”, said a uniformed Cameroonian man who chose to remain anonymous. His position was echoed by Adamu (27) and Usman, a Cameroon-based Chadian.

This reporter caught up Tuesday morning with a group of vuvuzela blowing Cameroonian youths along one of the busiest roads in Garoua. “Nigeria is at home”, the over-excited youths told TDR as they chanted and waved Nigeria’s flag.

Meanwhile, the sale of tickets is ongoing at various locations in Garoua ahead of the crucial Group D tie expected to record a massive attendance.

By Muhammad Muzdaleefa

The Euro 2020 Cup ended in Italian hands after the Azzurri defeated England at Wembley Stadium. What a journey it has been. The winning team has shown us that it is not what happens to you but rather how you react to it that matters. Some fall and stay down there; others fall and dust themselves off and rebuild. 

No doubt, it was a hotly contested final. Southgate’s team had got off to an impressive start with Luke Shaw’s goal after just two minutes. But the Italians equalised in the 67th minute through Leonardo Bonucci. After much anticipation, England’s dream was shattered as Italy won the match in penalty kicks. One thing is for sure; this loss will be seared into the national consciousness of English people for generations to come. It was simply nothing like it as a nation that treasures soccer fell in one of the most crucial matches in its football history.

The performance of both sides from the beginning of the tournament to the end was quite impressive. However, the defeat will remain a footnote. Few will remember that England played well, but many will recall that Italy won the final at the Wembley Stadium. The final was a great feat for Italian team manager Roberto Mancini. A man who attracted a lot of scepticism when he took over the reins of a team in a state of utter disrepair is the one who has masterminded its return to the top of European football and possibly world football. He did it silently and always with the smile and assured confidence of a stoic.

The coaching philosophy of both Mancini and Southgate must be saluted. The philosophy is that excellence can be achieved through hard work, which explains why they gave chances to their players as long as they are willing to put in the work and the stamina—everybody in their squad matters. As a result, many great players will surely emerge from both sides.

For now, Italy has conquered Europe and a big congratulations to the Azzurris for this important milestone.

Muhammad Muzdaleefa wrote from Kaduna. He can be reached via mohammedadamu736@gmail.com.

By Aliyu Yakubu Yusuf

Ask any casual football fans what the biggest mystery in recent football history is. One of the possible answers would surely be Argentina not winning a senior international trophy for 28 years. Not since Gabriel Batistuta led the Albiceleste to the 1993 Copa America triumph has the country tested victory in any men’s senior football tournament. For the record, I began supporting Argentina in 1998 courtesy of my support for Serie A side, SS Lazio. During those years when the Italian league was at the apex of the European football ladder, Lazio had an Argentine contingent of Juan Sebastian Veron, Diego Simeone, Matias Almeyda, Jose Chamot and Nestor Sensini. Over the subsequent seasons, Hernan Crespo, Claudio Lopez and Lucas Castroman soon joined their compatriots at Lazio.

For 25 long, agonising years, I have witnessed all the inexplicable near-misses, heartbreaks and sheer bad luck of being a fan of Albiceleste. We have played no fewer than six consecutive major finals and lost all, often by the slimmest of margins: Copa America finals (2004, 2007, 2015, 2016), Confederations Cup final (2005) and World Cup final (2014). Of course, there many intermittent triumphs in the youth football tournaments such as the FIFA U21 World Cup (2001, 2005, 2007) and the Olympics (2004, 2008), but those serve to add to the frustration as to why a country with so much footballing history and so much footballing talent can’t get over the finish line in a major tournament.

It’s scarcely believable that Argentina failed to win a single trophy despite boosting elite players such as Veron, Riquelme, Saviola, Ayala, Heinze, Aimar, Pocchettino, Sorin, Zanetti, Samuel, Cambiasso, Crespo, Tevez, Zabaleta, Banega and Higuain. But, beyond all these players, I believe that if anybody deserves to win a senior trophy with the Albiceleste, it is Javier Mascherano. In my more than two decades of watching the team, no player epitomises the essence of the team better. His last-ditch tackle to deny Arjen Robben in the semifinal of the 2014 World Cup is a stuff of footballing legend.

Literally speaking, I have waited my entire life as an Argentine fan for this moment. And now that the agonising wait is over, I would like to congratulate the long-suffering fans of Argentina football team and the captain fantastic, Lionel Messi. In a way, Messi appears to transcend football boundaries of rivalries. It was reported that many Brazilians rooted for him to win the trophy against their own country, in their own country. For his detractors, the criterion for being the GOAT is nothing but an international trophy. And now that he’s laid his hands on one, we are waiting for them to bring another criterion.

Aliyu is a lecturer at the Department of English and Literary Studies, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via aliyuyy@gmail.com.