Hear the Roar of Africa!

The world has disregarded Africa for too long!  But now you begin to hear the roar of the African lions!  Football is disturbingly Euro-centric.  Of course, the Middle East is making progress in widening the circle – listen to the petrodollar speak!  But control of the game we love lies with FIFA and UEFA – organizations not known for their inclusivity or even honesty!

Football is played and loved in all 195 countries of the world but it’s controlled by the odious Gianni Infantino and his cronies at FIFA.  Remember the ‘Today I feel Qatari’ speech – He admitted ‘I am not gay’!! but ‘As a child I was bullied because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian, so imagine.’  Indeed!  Says it all.  FIFA’s President – what an idiot!

But events have shown that the ROW, and in particular Africa will not allow themselves to be ignored.  Even in FIFA’s twisted men’s world rankings Morocco are 13 and Senegal 20.  Also, in the top 50 – Tunisia 29, Algeria 34, Egypt 35, Nigeria 40, Cameroon 41, Mali 49, Cote d’Ivoire 50!  And completing the top 100 (from Euro-centric FIFA remember!)  Burkina Faso 58, Ghana 60, Congo DR 64, South Africa 65 Cabo Verde 71, Guinea 81, Zambia 82, Gabon 88, Uganda 89, Equatorial Guinea 92, Benin 94, and Mauritania 99!

Just look at the impact that players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante have had in the Premier League.  Top players in the other European Leagues last year were: Seko Fofana (Ligue 1); Victor Osimhen (Serie A); Inaki Williams (La Liga); and Eric Choupo-Moting (Bundesliga). These are among the greatest players in the world right now.

Coming back to Morocco and Senegal – both progressed to the Round of 16 in Qatar. Morocco SEMI-FINALISTS!  There were also creditable performances from Cameroon, Ghana and Tunisia. Tired teams like Denmark, Serbia, Canada and (a little sadly!) Wales need to make way for exciting teams like Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire!

And in women’s football liberation has transitioned to recognition.  The true lionesses will soon outroar those English impostors.  In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Morocco finished joint top of Group H with Colombia on 6 points and ahead of Germany on 4!  And they beat Colombia in the head to head before underperforming against a hugely talented, but unlucky France side in the Round of 16.

The epicenter of the earthquake in Africa has moved north from the countries of southern and central Africa – Congo, Uganda, Zambia and S Africa- to the sub-Sahara and Mediterranean Africa – Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Morroco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt. But throughout the African Continent football is riding high.

When there were going to be 48 teams in World Cup 2026 Africa was promised 9 places. But now we’re back to 32 it’s only 5 for Africa. Don’t want to deprive San Marino or Estonia of its one shot at glory but aren’t Nigeria and Egypt more deserving? I propose that Africa should acquire at least 1 World Cup spot from Europe.

The quality of stadia, practice facilities and equipment is woeful in much of Africa. It’s hard to find a real football to play in the dusty streets of Sudan and Ethiopia. African football needs money. Europe should provide it. FIFA needs to create a fund for the development of football in Africa. And not the measly $1m they donated to humanitarian causes in July. Gianni Infantino get out your crocodile skin silk-lined wallet; get out your media size inlaid check book and start by writing a 1 and lots of zeros!