Again, Why Should Africa Participate in the 2018 World Cup?

Over a year ago I asked this question:

Why Should Africa Participate in 2018 World Cup?

Now its come out that in the recent UEFA champions league game between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City, the Ivorien player Yaya Toure complained about repeated racist chants directed at him throughout the game. In the match itself, Toure could be seen drawing the referee's attention to the infringement.

In response UEFA has now charged CSKA with racist behavior of their fans, with the Russian club expectedly denying the charge, claiming that 'nothing special' happened.

It is in a way reminiscent of the Russian FA's decision to punish the Nigerian player Emmanuel Emenike for his reaction to racial abuse by Dynamo Moscow fans (while playing for Spartak), while simultaneously ignoring the incident that led to the reaction in the first place.

Today, Yaya Toure is suggesting that African players will consider a boycott of the 2018 FIFA World Cup should this continue.

One and a half years after I first raised this question, CAF President remains silent about this issue! He and his associates at the Confederation of African Football benefit directly from the sweat of African players, yet repeatedly stay silent in the face of issues directly affecting these players.

What guarantees did Hayatou receive from FIFA and the Russian Federation before supporting their successful bid?

Why should African players participate in a World Cup tournament in stadia that are cauldrons of racism?

And how long must Africa put up with the incompetence of Issa Hayatou?

But I find myself wondering which is worse, Issa Hayatou's complicity by silence or the reaction of CSKA in manufacturing quotes from Ivorien striker, and Toure's international team mate, Seydou Doumbia, who was falsely quoted as saying the following:

"I didn’t hear anything like that from the CSKA fans". "My Ivory Coast colleague is clearly exaggerating. Yes, they’re always noisy in supporting the team, and try to put as much pressure as possible on our opponents, but they wouldn’t ever allow themselves to come out with racist chants." Link

Tufiakwa!

PS: It appears now that CSKA may have manufactured the above quotes from Seydou Doumbia, as the player has denied ever making these statements on his facebook page:

Seydou Doumbia Fan Page

African World Cup Qualifiers Reaches Decisive Phase

The African world cup qualifiers has come to its critical final phase, with the rash of points deductions and disqualification threatening to make a farce of the entire process. It is a sad testimony to the administration of the game that local FAs and indeed CAF cannot keep and update their records to avoid the use of ineligible players, the case of Cape Verde being particularly pathetic.

 

Ten teams, Algeria, Burkina Faso; Cameroon, Tunisia; CIV, Senegal; Egypt, Ghana; Ethiopia, Nigeria; are scheduled for a home and away playoff series between 11-15 October and 15-19 November.

 

Looking back to the group games, it is a matter for serious concern that no team actually stood out in terms of the consistent high quality of its game, with Cameroon and Tunisia particularly underwhelming. Granted that the nature and time limitations of qualification series constrains team building and the fine tuning of tactics, and that the poor state of pitches has greatly affected the fluidity of team play, the quality of play is nonetheless disappointing. Afterall, similar rebuilding efforts, within this same time frame by Van Gaal and Fabio Capello for instance, have produced teams of much higher quality in Holland and Russia. 

 

Less than one year from Brazil 2014, the standard of the African game is not even at the level of its most successful team in 2010, Ghana. While there are notable improvements in the quality of the lower tier teams like Cape Verde and Ethiopia, standards at the top level have declined! And given the reality that some FAs will be tempted to make rash last minute decisions on coaches, the outlook for the African game vis a vis Brazil 2014 is most certainly not bright. 

 

Ethiopia has done extremely well to get to the final qualification stage. But this run should now end.. Overall, while the team has improved from its showing at the Nations cup, this remains an average African team, capable of high spirited, even if loosely organized games in front of a vociferous home crowd.

Ironically, in the last meeting between the two teams, there was little to separate both sides in terms of chances in the final third, until the decisive save by Enyeama and the quality of Moses irrevocably turned the game.

Tactically the organization of team play lacks detail orientation, with a tendency to play vertically in search of top striker Saladin Said. When it attempts to play out of defence, the positioning of the defensive players is haphazard and unbalanced, rendering it susceptible to high pressing.

The key feature of the attacking game in midfield is the play of the tall rangy Asrat Gobena, often with little interplay at the base of midfield and the delivery of the long ball to exploit Saladin's hold up play, or the hard running of Getaneh.

Further upfield, the real variety in the team's play comes from Shimeles Bekele attacking from wide right, with an appetite for running at the fullback, on the outside and a little more dangerous, diagonally.

The structure of team play and the spirited attempts to get forward quickly often leaves the team in a 4-2-4 shape, with vast opportunities for the counterattack or the quick pass and move around the reduced numbers and abundant spaces in midfield. This weakness created multiple opportunities for South Africa, with the lack of quality in the final third letting the Bafana down.

Right-back Tesfaye is especially weak in positioning and recovery, and should have plenty to chew over against Moses.

While the altitude might constrain the ability of Nigeria to engage in full-court pressing, a targeted focus on Asrat (and Adane, should he start) maybe advisable, perhaps by strategically dropping Emenike or Moses into midfield to close him down.

But the key for Nigeria will be to control the tempo of the game from the very beginning, take the fervor out of the match with controlled possession in midfield, and position the team to decisively punish the inevitable mistakes from Ethiopia.

Unlike many, I believe the Egyptians have a very good chance against the Ghana Black Stars, especially if they are able to address the problems they have in central defence, and the absence of a real screen from midfield, in front of the back four.

Two basic problems have plagued Kwesi Appiah's side for nearly two years now. First is the slow pace of evolution in terms of the injection of new energy and dynamism into the team and the continued lack of identity, from a team that was built for the counterattack by  Milovan Rajevac. The situation is not helped by the declining powers of several key players, whose careers have in some cases stalled, like Christian Atsu, or declined altogether like Asamoah Gyan.

Tactically, Kwesi Appiah has never gotten the right balance in central midfield, and the team is much too dependent on the ability of Ayew and Wakaso to unbalance the opponent in 1v1 situations, with the trademark movements between the lines from midfield often lacking or disjointed.

However the political troubles in Egypt has severely affected its domestic game and led to a largely unsettled team. But the manner in which the team came through the qualifiers is indicative of resilience and a growing team spirit. If Egypt get its organization and discipline right in Kumasi, especially between Walid Gomaa and Ahmed Hegazi, I expect them to surprise Ghana.

Burkina Faso will face Algeria as the most improved side in the continent coming from the Nations Cup. This in my opinion should be the most even contest in the series. While strong in its defensive organization, Burkina has not been prolific in front of goal, notwithstanding results against Niger. I expect an Algerian win.

The performance of the Ivorien national team in the last decade or more, has continued to reflect massive lost opportunities. In many ways, this team reflects a worrying trend of slip shod commitment to international football among this generation of African footballers. Perhaps no African player reflects this as Yaya Toure, a player who is metronomic at Manchester City, and a near wimp of an Elephant! The situation is made worse by coach Sabri Lamouchi, who in two years has never effectively defined a team ethic (like Stephen Keshi with Nigeria), or a tactical organization that maximizes the strengths of key players. The Ivoriens should prove too strong for Senegal, but not much more...

It is perhaps fitting that Cameroon and Tunisia, two teams that effectively snoozed through the qualifiers get a chance to meet in this decisive phase. With a plethora of quality players, especially young emerging talent, it is sad to see Cameroon, one of the true giants of African football struggle this way....

Predictions: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon.

The Eternal Sunshine of John Mikel Obi

Everytime I watch John Mikel Obi, I am often reminded of Cristiano Ronaldo; yes the very same CR7!

 

The story is told of how the young Portuguese on joining Manchester United stated his career goals; not to be a starter, not to get a long term contract, but to be the best player in the world.

 

Contrast that with Mikel Obi who first came to world attention at the FIFA U20 youth tournament in Holland where he was only second to Lionel Messi.

 

Since making his first start for Chelsea in the UEFA champions league on September 12 2006, Mikel has brought to the defensive midfield the use of possession as a defensive tactic and the ability of a team to control games from a deep defensive position in midfield.

It is in the use of possession as a defensive tactic that Mikel has staked a claim in this role. His ball handling skills, close control, and quick decision-making, makes him very difficult to 'press' against. Because he is safe and efficient, Chelsea has been able to build a midfield based on speed and power around him.

On signing for Chelsea this is what his coach Jose Mourinho said: "We will make him the complete midfielder. His offensive skill set is not in doubt, it's the defensive aspect of his game we have to work on, If he listens and learn, he has the potential to be the best midfielder in the world ".

 

But last week against Spurs in the premier league, Mikel was pulled at halftime by Jose Mourinho. That in itself is no news. But what was significant was how Mikel appeared to be caught in a carousel, as the ball was easily passed around him. He lacked the speed and mobility to press quickly in midfield, or the positional sense to read the movements around him. Some will blame his central midfield partner, Frank Lampard or the tactical organization of the team by Mourinho.

 

But the reality is that Mikel has been playing one way for more than half a decade, with the same range of passes, at the same tepid tempo; the same square ball, the same half trot!

He can't shoot straight and has not done anything to correct this in over 6 years, never mind the recent goal! In six years the iphone has been improved five times! There is not a top defensive midfielder in Europe of whom there is such a low expectation with regard to goal scoring.

Let there be no misunderstanding; I understand about the player's first responsibility being to his team and the instructions of the coach. But each player brings a unique individual identity to the game. Each player possesses the inalienable right to define himself in a manner that both fulfills the goals of his team and at the same time maximizes his potentials.

 

Years ago, Ronald Koeman then manager at Ajax once complained about African footballers lacking professional ambition beyond the quest to get a contract. While I do not subscribe to such a broad brush, it has to be said that many an African footballer have made shortsighted career decisions that seemed to prioritize the short term financial gain over longer term professional development.

Where some look to be the best in their position or like CR7 to be the best player in the world, Mikel has been content to simply be a Chelsea starter, to get a contract renewed.

 

If anybody with top talent ever defined a lack of ambition its John Mikel Obi!!!

 

And still the beat goes on....The eternal sunshine of a content football mind.

    How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!

    The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

    Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

    Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;

    
     Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope

Wanted: A Football Policy for the Diaspora

It's just been announced that the NFF is looking at establishing a scouting unit for monitoring of Nigerian players in Europe and other parts of the world.

 

In my opinion this is a laudable step, but does not go far enough.

 

But first, let there be no misunderstanding. The popular, but misguided argument against this move has always been that Nigeria is better off focusing on developing its local talent than looking at players whose loyalty might be in question. Some have argued, with some merit, that many of the players in this category only seriously consider Nigeria after other options might have failed.

 

But be that as it may, the reality is that the nature of citizenship has changed. The effect of global migration of Nigerians is the full and irrevocable emergence of a generation of professionals in different works of life, including football, with Nigerian parentage and thus of dual nationality.

 

This is the reality that nobody can wish away. The question is therefore not one of if, but how we should embrace it and how best to use this resource to advance Nigerian football.

 

The oft argued need to focus instead on developing local talent is in reality a non starter. These are clearly two separate issues, neither are they mutually exclusive. They can therefore not only coexist, but mutually reinforce one another. Irrespective of how rich a talent pool lies in the diaspora, Nigeria needs to develop her local talents. That is the only long term sustainable solution to the development of Nigerian football.

 

The NFF needs to establish guidelines on when and how to engage with footballers of Nigerian parentage  in the diaspora.

 

At what point should contact be initiated: at the youth/academy level, or at the U-20 level?

 

If initiated at the youth/academy level, how best can such contact be sustained?

 

To what extent should we involve such players at the U-17 level?

 

The key to the entire process is the need to understand that what is required is not simply scouting. Scouting is the first step in what is a process. What should follow next is recruitment.

 

But lets be clear; recruitment is not to be confused with 'begging'.  Nigeria and indeed no national team should have to beg anybody to wear its colors. That is a recipe for disaster!

 

Dual nationality players have options which country to play for, hence the word 'dual'! The role of recruitment is thus to present the option of an international career with the Super Eagles.

Having presented the option of an international career with Nigeria, players then need to be left alone to make their decision, but with regular monitoring. If the option becomes available, they can be exposed to the Nigerian youth teams setup, even if they are not selected.

FIFA rules mean they do not have to make a definitive decision until they are in their twenties. What is critical is to use the time available to build a relationship between such players and the national team.

 

Therefore in implementing this policy, the NFF needs to understand the distinction between scouting and recruitment.

 

The recruitment process is best handled by high profile former Super Eagles players such as Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunny Oliseh, Fashanu, etc. 

 

In my opinion, the process should begin at the youth/academy level, but should not involve use of such players in the U-17 team, except in exceptional cases.

 

The scouting of U-20 and senior players must be conducted in collaboration with national team coaches, so as to avoid conflicts.

 

On the whole this is a welcome development and one that has been long in coming.

 

There a whole host of young talents of Nigerian parentage in top teams in Europe. They include Kenneth Otigba at Herenveen, Tiago Ilori and Jordan Ibe at Liverpool, Chuba Akpom at Arsenal, Godswill Ekpolo at Barcelona, and Derik Osiede at Real Madrid, to mention a few.

 

These players, should they become available, will not solve all Nigeria's problems in football. But they will certainly expand the options available to national team selectors, which in turn should make the Super Eagles better.