Drogba Out - Big Blow to Africa

The 2010 World Cup created quite a lot of excitement, mainly due to the fact it was the first World Cup to be hosted in the continent of Africa, and the most suitable venue was South Africa, due to it having a rather strong economy. There are always hiccups in the process, and the odd scare thrown out by the media in order to sell a few papers, but in terms of building the stadiums, promoting the tournament and creating an exciting atmosphere, South Africa has done itself proud and with one week to go, we are ready for the World Cup. This cup is unofficially billed as Africa 2010, as many people see this as a chance for the whole of Africa to get involved and show how much they love football. Yet a number of stories are starting to appear that are taking the shine off an African World Cup, and many problems are coming out that appear to be diminishing the excitement from the African nations themselves:

Essien and Drogba – out:

News has just broken that Didier Drogba has become a real doubt for the World Cup after fracturing his arm in a warm up match with Japan. This is a terrible shame for many fans of football, as truth be told, if you had to chose another nation to win the World Cup rather than your own this summer, you’d like to see an African nation lift the trophy, and Ivory Coast probably stood the best chance of any of this years African competitors. Drogba is a World Class player and not only the Star of Ivory Coast, but one of Africa’s best players in general. Add this to Michael Essien’s unfortunate absence and this really takes a shine off how great African football has become in the past several decades. Essien is a huge star in Africa and many saw him as the player to lead the way for the African countries at South Africa, but without him at the tournament it takes a lot of the excitement surrounding African Nation’s chances at this World Cup. There is one major hitter still going with the African Nations…

Samuel Eto’o Spits His Dummy Out:

…If he wants to. Samuel Eto’o has bizarrely claimed, days before the final squad announcements, that he “doesn’t need to go to the World Cup” and made a threat to withdraw himself from consideration after Roger Milla was critical of his performances for his country. Truth be told, there is no way Eto’o would really withdraw from this World Cup in particular, no matter how big his ego is, he has a chance to shine in the continent of Africa and represent his country at one of the greatest sporting tournaments in the world. I don’t care if the Prime Minister and the Queen were critical of my performances, I’d still put on a shirt for England at a World Cup if they asked me to go. Eto’o has just reacted in the worst manner possible, and now there is probably a divide in Cameroon over whether they side with their long time hero Milla, or Eto’o who will spearhead their attack at this World Cup. Thank god he is going though, without Drogba and Essien, this World Cup needs Eto’o. I’m not saying there aren’t amazing players in Africa, just that they’re the big three really for this summer.

Neutrals and Contest Winners Set To Support The Africans:

This is absolutely ludicrous and one of those situations where money should be no issue. South Africa will have a vibrant and lively support no doubt, as Fifa was keen for even the poorest to get a chance to see their country player this summer by offering a number of schemes in which money accumulated so they could afford the ticket. Fifa did not however decide to consider that this situation might be the same beyond the borders of South Africa, as at this point, the other five African Nations have, in total, 40,000 supporters going to this World Cup. That’s less than 10,000 supporters per nation, and that doesn’t mean to say that this will be balanced out evenly. I love the African supporters, they love to dance and don’t stop cheering for the whole 90 minutes. I remember at the Confederations Cup, one South African supporter had a pair of big glasses and an Oxford’s English dictionary in his hand! What’s all that about? I don’t know but I love it! So what should be the most accessible World Cup to some of the poorest nations in the world will instead see fewer people travelling to South Africa from some of the nations that truly matter this summer. I only hope there is a big surprise when we actually get to the African games that are not South Africa, and we have a sea of fantastic supporters singing their hearts out.

Is It Going To Be Trouble?

Many people are quite worried about a number of issues this summer regarding this particular World Cup. The USA doesn’t just bring a large contingent of travelling support, but also a wariness of terrorist threats, particularly in the game against England. It’s true that South Africa is hugely different from Germany, Japan, South Korea and France who have hosted the most recent World Cup’s and the divide between economic classes has lead to a number of social and criminal problems in the nation. There is a chance of trouble at any major football event, and South Africa have spent a lot of money on preparing their police efforts for this tournament, and I would say that we’re unlikely to experience anything major at this tournament. South Africa has tried to promote the feel good and party attitude of the South African people, and I think that many of the visiting nations will fall into this and have a good time. But the problem still remains – yes – there will be crime at this tournament as there is at many major events, but it depends largely on how under control the South African police can keep it under control. I really hope that after this tournament we’re not all talking about major crime at the tournament as the World Cup brings a lot of positive social and economic benefits with it that African Nations could really benefit from. I know football will be the focus, but that lingering thought in the back of my mind that says something will go wrong would be a disaster for African football.

The final installment of the Award Winners series will feature the candidates for the African Player of the Year.  The winner of the 2007 award went to Sevilla’s Mali striker Frédéric Kanouté.

Kanouté was the 1st African P.O.Y. not to be born in Africa, but this year’s candidates & eventual winner were all born on the African continent. The WCB list of candidates is slightly different from shortlist that was formally announced so here are our three top candidates for African Footballer Of The Year (in no particular order):

Mohamed Aboutrika

He is the best African footballer plying his trade in Africa. Even though he wears No. 22, he has the skills of a true No. 10. Aboutrika led Egypt to its 5th African Cup of Nations title, scoring the trophy clincher in the final vs. Cameroon. He finished tied for 2nd on the tournament’s goal scoring list. Despite injury he has been instrumental in leading African superclub Al-Ahly to the 2008 CAF Champions League Final. It is the 4th time in the last 4 years that Al-Ahly has reached the final. Aboutrika could break Cameroon hearts twice in 2008 because his Al-Ahly team is on the verge of defeating Cameroon side Cotonsport Garoua in the final and thus leading Al-Ahly to a record 6th African Club title.

Samuel Eto’o

He wasn’t on the announced formal shortlist for the award and as a 3-time winner he’s already had his time but in ’08, Eto’o was great. He was the leading goal scorer in the African Cup of Nations in leading Cameroon to a surprise final appearance. Despite missing time during Barca’s season due to the Cup of Nations and injury he still managed 16 goals in 18 La Liga appearances. He didn’t have the hardware like Aboutrika but he was still a beast and finished with same trophy count as Michael Essien and as many goals as Didier Drogba.

Emmanuel Adebayor

The tall lanky forward from Togo had a breakout season for Arsenal.  Under Arsene Wenger’s flowing, sharp cutting passing system, Adebayor flourished scoring 24 goals in the Premiership finishing 2nd along with Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and behind Man U’s Cristiano Ronaldo.  Togo did not participate in the African Cup of Nations but his breakout Premiership campaign make him a legitimate candidate for African Player of the Year and a force on the European club scene and Togo national team for a good while.

The winner of the title of African Footballer of the Year is:
Mohamed Aboutrika

The Egyptian playmaker is the deserving winner of African Player of the Year because he performed great in the biggest stages at both the club and national team levels. The same argument made earlier for Joffre Guerron and his South American Player of the Year can be made for Mohamed Aboutrika. The best player on the best club team and in Aboutrika’s case, the best player on the best national team in Africa. He would make history if he wins the African P.O.Y. because since the Confederation of African Football gave out the award in 1992, no Egyptian has ever won. We should see soon, a Pharaoh once again reigning over Africa.