INTERNATIONAL

© Shutterstock.com © Africa’s Challenge to the European Dominance of International Football

For the small and economically weak nations of Africa sport emerged as one of the avenues in which they could project themselves on the international stage against powerful nations.

By Clifford Peter

he spectre of the challenge of referred to as the unequal allocation of Mail and Guardian (May 30, 2014), Africa’s place in world football World Cup slots in which Europe has a Jordaan raised issues that resonate with Thas once again been raised by guaranteed thirteen of the thirty two, other football followers with regard the President of the South African and enjoys a 40% lion’s share of places to the governance of the Federation Football Association (SAFA), Dr Danny in the tournament. Internationale de Football Association Jordaan. He has decried what he In an article that appeared in the (FIFA). This political challenge by an

Volume 63 / 2015 57 INTERNATIONAL

African football representative is part the European countries that their later joined UEFA. Yugoslavia, which of the global struggle for equality in the interests within FIFA were going to had split into six countries (Bosnia- administration of international football. be threatened by new members from Herzegovina, Croatia, Marcedonia, Ever since it was formed in 1904 FIFA Africa, and other developing countries. Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia) has undergone various metamorphic According to Fauzi Mahjoud: ‘No and Czechoslovakia into two, the stages. It started with only seven sooner had some of the new states Czech Republic and Slovakia, were members (France, Belgium, Denmark, become members of the United also admitted as members. Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Nations or the Organisation of African whose land mass is in Asia, has also Switzerland) who were later joined by Unity, they joined the International been accepted by UEFA after having England in 1905. South Africa became Federation of or been a member of the Asian Football the first country outside Europe to CAF and competed for the African Cup, Confederation (AFC) from 1954 to be accepted as a member in 1910. enjoying one of the first opportunities 1974. The Palestine - Israel conflict Argentina and Chile joined in 1912 of expressing their new-found and spilled over to the game, and the AFC and were followed by United States ambitious national identity.’2 expelled Israel. and Canada in 1913. For the small and economically The smaller Island of San Marino The African countries which weak nations of Africa sport emerged was also accepted as a member. became pioneers in international as one of the avenues in which they Gibraltar which is classified as a football were Egypt, which joined FIFA could project themselves on the British Overseas Territory (BOT) with in 1923, followed by Sudan in 1948 international stage against powerful an estimated population of thirty and Ethiopia in 1953. On 8 February nations. Mahjoud also drew similarities five thousand people was the latest 1957 these countries were to form between the challenges which Africa member to be accepted to UEFA in the Confederation of African Football 2013. This expansion was carefully (CAF), which fought for Africa’s The European driven to counter- balance the political recognition in international football. control which the UEFA had lost to South Africa became a member by dominance of world Third World countries in the early default. However she was expelled football is also visible 1970s. The climax of this struggle after failing to make an undertaking of culminated in the election of Dr Joao fielding a non-racial team in the CAF in its governing Havelange of Brazil as the President of inauguration that was to be held in body. In the all- FIFA in 1974 when he defeated Stanley Sudan from 10 - 16 February 1957. powerful Executive Rous of England with the support of African football representatives also African, Latin American and Asian carried the campaign against apartheid Committee UEFA countries. The failure of Rous globally by urging FIFA to expel South has 9 votes; CAF has to recognise the interests of the Africa. developing countries and his sympathy FIFA’s membership grew 4, CONMEBOL 4, for apartheid South Africa became his dramatically after 1960 as more CONCACAF 3, AFC 3 downfall. nations which attained political Unequal relations in FIFA are also independence joined the organisation. and the OFC 1. reflected in the distribution of slots Its membership stood at 209 in 2014, with other football associations such as well above that of the United Nations faced in FIFA and those it encountered the AFC which has 47 affiliates and four (193), becoming a truly global family. in the globalised political and economic slots while its fifth place is played-off These developments within FIFA were environment. with a team from South America. summed up by the former President The Confederation of North, Central of the United European Football The UEFA dominance over FIFA American and Caribbean Associations Associations (UEFA), Artenio Franchi, During the past decade the Football (CONCACAF) has 41 affiliates in 1979 when he said: ‘With ever more Confederation of African Football and three guaranteed slots plus a states gaining their independence, and (CAF) has emerged as the biggest play-off against the Oceania winner. with the existing countries splitting up affiliate within FIFA with 56 members, 31 of the CONCACAF affiliates come into separate states – processes which followed by UEFA with 54. However mainly from the Caribbean islands such are to be observed above all in the Africa has five slots in the World as Anguilla, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint so-called Third World – the number of Cup while Europe has thirteen. The Maarten and Montserrat. national football associations inevitably growth of UEFA 34 members in 1990 The Oceania Football Confederation continues to grow. And there is was bolstered by the breakup of the (OFC), with eleven affiliates, only has nothing to stop these emerging football Union of Soviet Socialist Republics a possibility to gain just one place if countries from joining the enlarged (USSR) resulting in the emergence they win in the play-off with South FIFA Family. This is the uncomfortable of new countries such as Armenia, America and Asia interchangeably. truth.’1 Belarus, Estonia, Georgia and Ukraine. This was the main reason why Australia Franchi’s statement was a reflection These new nations got recognition asked for permission to join Asia and of fears which were largely held by from the United Nations (UN) and has qualified for every tournament

58 THE THINKER INTERNATIONAL since then. The South American country to secure a place in the World from 1972 to 1987, voiced Africa’s Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Cup tournament. This was contrary concern regarding the continent’s which has been dominating world to the resolution of the 1954 FIFA under-representation in world football since the emergence of the Extraordinary Congress that was held in football when he said: ‘Although world cup, has ten affiliates with Berne, Switzerland which recognised we acknowledge the role made by six slots. CONMEBOL is the oldest Africa as its Continental Zone.5 FIFA certain continents in the creation of football confederation, having been also decreed that national associations FIFA, its development and their moral, formed in 1916 and was also the first that did not qualify in two successive material and financial contribution, FIFA Continental Zone to stage the World Cup tournaments would forfeit we estimate that the democratic rule World Cup tournament - in Uruguay their voting powers.6 dictates that all rights and duties that in 1930. The boycott had far reaching effects form an international organisation The European dominance of world in the governance of football as FIFA should be the same for all. This is why football is also visible in its governing decided to allocate one slot for the in the framework of legitimacy, and by body. In the all-powerful Executive African continent at its Congress that following a process that is consistent Committee UEFA has 9 votes; CAF has was held in London on the eve of the with the interest of world football 4, CONMEBOL 4, CONCACAF 3, AFC 1966 Soccer World Cup tournament. and its unity, a progressive equilibrium 3 and the OFC 1. In 1961 Sir Stanley Asia was also allocated one slot. of the representation in the heart Rous, who was the Vice President This decision led directly to Africa’s of FIFA and its competition is of FIFA, tried to justify this position participation in the next World Cup required’.9 when he said: ‘Many people are that was held in Mexico in 1970 According to Danny Jordaan, the convinced that it is unrealistic, for with Morocco being the continental biggest challenge in recent times that example, that a country like England, has been put by those who oppose where the game started and was greater African participation in world first organised, or that experienced The defeat of football is that no African country countries like Italy and France, who Argentina by has ever gone beyond the quarter have been the pillars of FIFA and final in the World Cup. This geo- influential in its problems and world Cameroon became political power play by European football affairs for so many years, should one the biggest upsets countries is aimed at maintaining have no more than equal voting rights in football history in control and dominance over with any of the of the newly created international football at the expense of countries of Africa.’3 These Eurocentric what became known Africa and other developing countries. views were aimed at denying the as the ‘Miracle of Jordaan has cited the emergence of African continent its rightful place in top multi-billion dollar FIFA World FIFA. Milan’ after a goal that Cup sponsors such as Coca Cola, The EUFA dominance over was headed by Omam Hyundai-Kia, and Sony which are international football gives European located outside Europe as a positive countries an automatic lead in the Biyik. step in international football. This, says bid to host the World Cup. The Jordaan, is important in breaking down case in point being the 1966, 1974 representative. The last debut by the European dominance over the and 1982 tournaments in which an African country in a World Cup game. This represented a progressive England, Germany and Spain had a tournament had been in 1934 in Italy shift from the past when Europe gentleman’s agreement to support after Egypt had qualified in a play-off was the biggest contributor to FIFA each other’s bids.4 This has placed by beating Palestine. revenues. Europe in the lead, having hosted the Although the 1954 FIFA Congress The African struggle for equity in game ten times; South America five in Berne was a watershed in African international football has the support times; and North America three times. football history, racial prejudices were of FIFA President Joseph Blatter who Asia and Africa have each only hosted demonstrated by European and South wrote in the FIFA Weekly (October it once. American countries who opposed 25, 2013) that ‘from a purely sporting Africa’s acceptance into FIFA. The perspective, I would like to see The African Response matter was referred for ballot, with globalisation finally taken seriously, These inequalities within FIFA 24 countries voting in favour while 17 and the African and Asian national have not gone unchallenged by the were against.7 An Argentinian football associations accorded the status they African Football Confederation. In representative to the Congress argued deserve at FIFA World Cup.’ Blatter 1966 African countries boycotted that the standard of football in Africa further emphasised that ‘it cannot be the qualification series for the FIFA was too poor to deserve a place in the that the European and South American World Cup that was to be held in FIFA Executive Committee.8 confederations lay claim to the majority England over the unfair allocation of The late President of CAF of the berths at the World Cup (18 slots. African countries had to play-off Yidnekatchew Tessema of Ethiopia, or 19), because taken together they and win against an Asian or European who reigned over the organisation account for significantly fewer member

Volume 63 / 2015 59 INTERNATIONAL

associations (63) than Africa and Asia The defeat of Argentina by Liberia, whom the late president of (100).’ Cameroon became one the biggest South Africa Nelson Mandela referred ‘Africa’, he writes, ‘the confederation upsets in football history in what to as ‘the pride of Africa’. He became with the most member associations became known as the ‘Miracle of one of the top footballers and was (56), is woefully under-represented at Milan’ after a goal that was headed by named as the 1995 African, European, the World Cup with just five places.’ Omam Biyik. The ‘Indomitable Lions’ and World Footballer of the Year. Blatter concluded by saying that the went further and trounced Colombia During the 1994/5 UEFA Champions chances of African countries winning and Romania in the same tournament league he became the top goal scorer the World Cup are minimal given to become the first African country with seven goals. of their current under-representation. to ever reach the quarter final. The also became one of the best footballers This was demonstrated in the group legendary Cameroonian football star and was named three times as the stages outcome of the 2014 Soccer scored four goals during African player of the year. He made his World Cup that was held in Brazil. The that tournament. mark in European football by playing exit of three African countries (Cote During the 1978 World Cup in in Germany, Italy and France. He d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon) meant Argentina, Tunisia registered Africa’s was part of the Marseilles team when an almost near ‘death’ to the African first win in the tournament against they won the 1993 UEFA Champions teams, leaving only two teams reaching Mexico by 3-1. In the 1982 Soccer League.10 the second round. World Cup that was held in Spain, of also Although the European teams Algeria triumphed by 2-1 against made his mark in international football suffered a high rate of attrition, with Germany to become the first African and was named the 1996 FIFA World seven countries (Italy, Spain, Russia, country to win over a European team Player of the Year. He featured in Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul Croatia and Portugal) having been where the Zambian team beat Italy knocked out in the first round, they The success of 4-0. He also played for football clubs were still left with six places in the the African football in Belgium, Holland, South America second round. They faced the same and the Middle East where he earned outcome in the 2010 World Cup that teams was also international recognition. Another was held in South Africa in which coupled with the player who distinguished himself in the same number of teams, which is emergence of stars international football was Nwankwo more than 50% of the UEFA allocated Kanu of Nigeria who came into slots, did not make it to the second who made their mark international spotlight in the 1993 round. It is this allocation of slots that in international under 17 World Championship in seeks to guarantee UEFA dominance Japan where he scored five (5) goals.11 in all the stages of the World Cup football. He later joined Ajax Amsterdam which tournament as it increases their won the 1995 UEFA Champions chances of winning. in the history of the tournament. League. In 1996 he was the The ‘Indomitable Lions’ also made Captain of the Nigerian team that won African successes in international surprises during the 1982 Soccer the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games football World Cup by not losing a single that were held in Atlanta. He was One of the salient futures of the match in the first round of the Group also twice voted African Player of the exercise of power in FIFA by European that included Italy only to be knocked Year. countries has been the shifting of out by goal difference. Italy won the It was in the light of these successes goal posts in their dealings with the World Cup during this tournament. that the former President of FIFA Joao African continent. Their argument in Africa also made its mark in the Havelange introduced radical reforms the past was that football standards in 1996 Olympic Games that were held that would see African participation in Africa were poor and did not attract in Atlanta where Nigeria won the Gold the World Cup berths increased from the desired attention from football Medal after beating Brazil in the semi- one in 1974 to five in 1998. fans. However history was to prove finals and Argentina in the final. Both Though Africa has not as yet these assertions wrong as the growth South American rivals were hugely produced a World Cup semi-finalist, of African football would have far- favoured to win the Gold Medal. In astounded many and proved reaching effects on the global stage. This the 2000 Olympic Games Cameroon African prowess when they reached was demonstrated by the ‘Indomitable also registered Africa’s prowess by the 2002 quarterfinals on debut. They Lions’ of Cameroon who stunned the defending the ‘African’ Gold Medal in were on course and only lost to Turkey world in 1990 by defeating Argentina, Sydney, Australia. on what was then called ‘golden goal’. who were the defending champions, The success of the African football They also had on their way claimed the 1-0, during the opening of the World teams was also coupled with the scalp of world champions France in the Cup tournament that was held at emergence of stars who made their opening match. Later, Ghana in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, (also known mark in international football. These 2010 FIFA World Cup that was held in as the San Siro) in Milan, Italy. players include of South Africa also reached quarterfinals.

60 THE THINKER INTERNATIONAL

African countries also made history in of Algerian parents) scored two of the to host when it became apparent the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by having three goals that made France the world that Kenya and Libya were not in a two countries (Algeria and Nigeria) champions. position to do so. When South Africa which progressed to the second round. African countries did not reach the successfully hosted the 2010 World African countries also need to same milestone they achieved in the Cup its Secretary General Jerome nurture their young football players 1990, 2002 and 2010 World Cups Valcke remarked that South Africa for future roles in professional football. during their last appearance in the 2014 would be the plan B of future FIFA The Nigerian and Cameroonian under World Cup in Brazil. The challenge of World Cups. He added: ‘There is not a 20s teams which won at the 1996 financial payments to players which single part of this World Cup where we and 2000 Olympic Games had the emerged within the Cameroonian, have not been able to go beyond the potential to progress into professional Ghanaian and Nigerian teams during level of past world cups.’ football and bring the world trophy to this tournament had the potential of When the ‘Black Stars’ of Ghana the African continent. Ghana proved deflecting them from their primary played a friendly against ‘Bafana also that football development is objective of bringing the World Cup to Bafana’ on a ‘Thank You’ visit to the very important for a future place in the continent. The Confederation of country in late 2010 they cited the the World Cup Final. They won the African football has to make a timely support they got from South Africans 2009 FIFA World Youth Championships intervention so that such challenges do for the success they had in the 2010 and took the same team (infusing it not re-occur. FIFA World Cup. These sentiments with some experienced players) to Economic underdevelopment in were echoed by , the Angola AFCON 2010 where they the continent has also had a direct Ghanaian football striker, when he lost in the final. The same team bearing on football. Some African said: ‘We were treated like kings by achieved the success of reaching countries have been unable to host the everybody here. We did well in the the quarter finals in the 2010 Soccer African bi-annual soccer tournament World Cup because of the support we World Cup. got from the South Africans and other According to Sunday Oliseh (former fellow African brothers and sisters. I still Nigerian ) the nucleus of The flight of elite have great memories of this country the teams from Brazil, Argentina and football players from and I have never been treated so well Mexico whom they defeated in the in a foreign country.’14 1996 Olympics Games in Atlanta Africa has resulted Co-operation between African were the same players that ascended in the lowering of countries has also been recently to the World Cup in 1998 (France) football standards in demonstrated by the accord that has and in 2002 (Japan and Korea).12 been signed by Athletics South Africa Brazil played in the final in the the continent while (ASA) and Athletics Kenya. According to 1998 World Cup and won the 2002 elevating that of this agreement Kenya will be involved in World Cup. the training and development of South European football. African athletes.15 Such co-operation African football challenges between African countries could go One of the biggest challenges facing or not been able to afford the cost a long way towards the realisation of the African continent is the emigration of travel for their football players to equity in international sport.  of top African football players to these tournaments. South Africa had References Europe. The flight of elite football already been instrumental in ensuring 1. Sugden J and Tomlinson A, ‘Global Power Struggles players from Africa has resulted in the success of the African Nations Cup in World Football: FIFA and UEFA, 1954 -74, and their legacy’. The International Journal of the History of lowering the standard of football in tournament that was held in Mali in Sport. University of Brighton, 1997 p 6 the continent while elevating that 2002 when it became clear that the 2. Darby, P. Football, ‘Colonial Doctrine and Indigenous Resistance: Mapping the Political Persona of FIFA’s of European football. Countries that game would not take place. This was African Constituency’. Culture, Sport and Society, Vol. have most benefited from this practice done by means of financial, technical 3, No. 1, 2000. Published by Frank Cass, London p 79 are Portugal and France. In the 1966 skills, communication equipment, 3. Sugden J and Tomlinson A, op. cit, p 7 4. Interview with O. A. Koonyaditse author of the World Cup the Portuguese team that and the use of the South African book: The Politics of South African Football. African won a bronze (their major success at Airways (SAA) to ensure the success Perspective Publishing. 2010 5. 13 Allergi P, The African Soccer Soccerscapes. How A World Cup so far) relied on Eusebio of this tournament. South Africa also Continent Changed The Worlds Game. Hurst and da Silva Ferreira and five of his team extended technical and other specialist Company, London 2010 p 65 6. Darby, P. Football, op. cit, p 81 mates from Mozambique. He became support systems to the 2008 and 2010 7. Allergi P, op.cit the top scorer for the tournament with African Nations Cup that were held in 8. Ibid 9. Dunmore T. ‘Yidnekatchew, The Forgotten Hero’. nine goals. During the 1958 World Ghana and Angola respectively. Ethiopian Review, 15 August 2010 p 2 10. Allergi P, op. cit, p 95 Cup in Sweden, France had in its South Africa has also positioned 11. Ibid national side Juste Fontaine from herself as the plan B of the African 12. Sowetan Soccer, Issue 25, 2014, p 46 13. Ndlovu S. Sports as Cultural Diplomacy: The 2010 Morocco who scored thirteen goals, Nations Cup bi-annual tournament. FIFA World Cup in South Africa’s Foreign Policy. while in the 1998 World Cup, This was the case with the 1996 and Soccer and Society Vol. 11, 2010, p 149 14. Sowetan, 10 August 2010 (born in Marseille the 2013 tournaments which she had 15. Sunday World, 15 June 2014

Volume 63 / 2015 61