The 29th (2013) edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began
last weekend in South Africa with the first match between host South
Africa and debutants, Cape Verde ending in a goalless draw, just like
the second between North Africa’s Morocco and Angola. Reports indicated
that the sale of tickets for the opening of the soccer tournament
exceeded the target of 500,000 by 350,000 to peak at 850,000. Nigeria’s
first outing in the tournament is today, when the Super Eagles will
trade tackles with Stallions of Burkina Faso in Nelpsruit, in a Group C
match.
Unarguably the most glamorous football fiesta in the region, the
AFCON is one of the symbols of African unity. The finesse and excitement
about the competition also seem to be on the increase as a result of
the participation of more Europe-based African footballers in the
tournament. The European leagues, including the English Premiership,
Italian Seria A and Spanish La Liga, have attracted some of the most
gifted African football players. Chelsea Football Club has Mikel Obi,
Victor Moses and Demba Ba, for instance. Joel Obi plays for Inter Milan;
and El-Sharawi for AC Milan in the Italian league. Before now, the
European league had enjoyed the services of fine African players like
Didier Drogba, Sam Eto’o, Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Okocha, Abedi Pele and
others in most profound ways. These players made tremendous impact on
Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Paris St. Germaine/ Bolton
Wanderers and Olympic Marseille, respectively.
The last edition of AFCON was held in 2012 in Equatorial Guinea and
Gabon. Quite unfortunately, Nigeria failed to qualify for that edition,
having played a draw with Guinea when the country needed a win to
qualify for the final rounds. The dismal outing of the Super Eagles at
the 2012 AFCON cost Samson Siasia his job as the Super Eagles Coach. He
was replaced by the former Super Eagles captain, Stephen Keshi. Ahead of
preparations for the ongoing competition, there had been controversies
on the final selection list and the technical quality/capability of the
Super Eagles, but Keshi seemed to have confidence in the ability of the
team in terms of preparedness, tactical and technical soundness.
It may be said, however, that the Nigerian football experience had
been one enmeshed in crises that affected the quality of participation
in international competitions. The country has not demonstrated
organizational ability enough to renew itself as a major force in
African soccer. Nigeria won the AFCON in 1980 in an epic final against
the Desert Warriors of Algeria. Again in 1994, it won the cup in Tunisia
in a pulsating final against the Zambian national team. Since then,
winning the cup has remained an illusion for the country. Nigeria will
be playing in the group C of the competition against Zambia, the
defending champion, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. While Zambia is highly
favored by soccer pundits to retain the trophy, Ethiopia and Burkina
Faso are no soccer minnows; and should be given the serious attention
they deserve by Nigeria’s technical team. It is likewise believed that
Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa would spin surprises. Ghana, for
example, has won the competition five times. We also recall that the
country (Ghana) lost the final of the 2012 AFCON edition to Zambia on
penalty kicks, while Egypt has won the competition six times. With its
seeming flattering preparations, however, Nigerians are full of hopes
that the Super Eagles will truly ‘fly’ this time around; and not return
home weeping and wailing with woeful tales.
South Africa, the host of the 2013 AFCON, also hosted the inaugural
outing of the World Cup tournament in Africa in 2010. The Local
Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2010 South Africa World Cup recorded
huge organizational and financial successes that drew global applause.
Indeed, South Africa got hosting right for the 2013 AFCON on the
strength of its performance as host of the 2010 World Cup.
Unfortunately, however, the competition is taking place at a time when
the region is receding to violence and insurgency. The crisis in Mali
has attracted an African Union intervention force; and will likely
involve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) force, too. There
are rebel insurgents in the Central African Republic, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Guinea, Niger Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, et cetera.
While the host country and the contingents should gird their loins and
not lose sight of the security deficits in the region, the Confederation
of African Football (CAF) and participating countries should exploit
the opportunity of the AFCON to preach peace, social justice and
regional stability; as against the threats of failed states, insurgency
and dwindling prospects for democracy
No comments:
Post a Comment