Soccer: Africa’s 2013 championship kick-off in South Africa

 Soccer: Africa’s 2013 championship kick-off in South Africa

Special to USAfrica multimedia networks, Houston •  www.USAfricaonline.com                                                  @Twitter.com/Chido247, Facebook.com/USAfricaChido n Facebook.com/USAfrica247

By Amoky/editing and additional info by USAfricaonline.com

USAfrica: The African Cup of Nations is the biggest football competition in Africa. Football in the continent has been growing in leaps and bound in the last 20 years, it has witnessed significant followership  within the football world. It is evident this weekend of January 19, 2013.

The African Cup of Nations promises to be exciting as some of the  best in the continent are competing for the trophy. An estimated record of 6.6 billion cumulative television viewers follow the most prestigious African sport.

Some of the biggest media organizations such ESPN, Al Jazeera, EuroSport, (and many others) will be covering the tournament. The fact that the competition is (being) hosted in South Africa brings memories of the successful 2010 World Cup in the same country.

The 2013 competitors are the defending champion Zambia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Morocco, Angola, Mali, Niger and host South Africa.
Cameroun and Egypt absent.
Cameroun and Egypt will be absent for the second time in a row. Cameroun had to deal with thorny  administrative issues which reflected on the soccer pitch. They lost out in the qualifiers to first timer Cape Verde, while Egypt got eliminated by relatively unknown Central African Republic . The Egyptian team have most of their players plying their trade in Egypt. It faced the suspension of their league due to the football riots that occurred in the city of Port Said late in 2012; the suspension took a toll on the fitness of the players.

Watch out for Cape Verde and Ethiopia.
The twist to this competition is that the relatively ‘minor’ soccer nations are establishing remarkable presence. The emergence of the lesser football powers is probably an indication of a paradigm shift in the African soccer landscape. This 2013 edition has debutant Cape Verde, Niger republic making back to back return; and Ethiopia who are returning after  36 years absence. Cape Verde qualified at the expense of Cameroun. Cape Verde’s goalless draw against Nigerian team in friendly warm game  illustrate why the islanders cannot be underrated. They might be the surprise pack of the competition.

The African Cup of Nations has been the main platform in showcasing the plethora of talents that abound  in the continent. It has exposed soccer stars like Roger Milla, Rabar Madjer, Abedi Pele, Austin Okocha, Finidi George, George Weah, Rashidi Yekini, Samuel Eto, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, etc.

Several recruiters mark their calendar to visit this great soccer festival to discover burden talent. African players are generally strong with great physical attributes and naturally talented.

Before the late 90s, the bi-annual competition was, in some sense, behind — as there was little attraction  to it from a global perspective. There were potentials for growth though as some of the soccer giants in continent showed glimpses of what Africa had in store in terms of talents.

Algeria and Cameroun represented Africa at the 1982 World Cup and put a performance that was worthy of note. Algeria defeated West Germany (eventually runners up) 2-1, while Cameroun drew all her games. This was an indication of what to expect in the future.

The 1990 World Cup proved to be the turning point as Cameroun stunned the world with a performance beyond logical expectation; they qualified for the quarter finals of the World Cup, the first by any African team. They defeated defending champions Argentina in the opening game on their way to achieving this heroic feat.

Cameroun’s exploit became a significant landmark in the history of African soccer. This put the continent within the view of the football world, thus earning three spots in subsequent editions. Africa‘s representation had increased to five since then.

Egypt have won the title more than any other nation, they have won to 7 times and 3 times back to back from 2006 to 2010. Unfortunately, they will be missing for the second time since 2010 when the competition kicks off in South Africa in January 2013.

Tackling CAF challenges.
The African Cup of Nation have being without criticisms and challenges. Club managers in Europe, particularly in the English Premiership have frowned at the timing of the competition as it is normally held between January and February, a crucial period for football. Club generally. Every club wants to have its best players around the critical season. It has being generally suggested by some that the Confederation of African Football (CAF)competition should be played at the end of the European football season.
It makes logical sense as the entire attention will be given to it in terms of viewership, but  the climatic nature in certain parts continent does not favour such move as it rains torrentially during period suggested. The only other way to alleviate the situation is probably for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to consider holding the tournament every four years; just as it is held in Europe and South America.

Other constraints that have marred the competition is the issue of filling the spectator’s stands. One can only hope that it would be different in South Africa. Past championships usually have the stands less than half full. The reason responsible for this is not far-fetched. Ticket price are usually far more that the average African can afford. Subsidising the gate fee significantly would make a huge difference.  Fortunately, the 2013 event has sold more than 700,000 tickets, a record setting business. The competition will not be void of the usual excitement, and the fun-fare of the vuvuzela. So let’s get ready to watch the best Africa has to offer this January 2013.

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WHY I CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND WORKS OF NELSON MANDELA. By Chido Nwangwu  https://usafricaonline.com/2010/07/15/mandela-why-i-celebrate-his-life-works-by-chido-nwangwu/

VIDEO of the CNN International broadcast/profile of USAfrica and CLASSmagazine Publisher Chido Nwangwu. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2010/07/29/mpa.african.media.bk.a.cnn

Nigeria’s Federal Republic of Insecurity. By Chido Nwangwu, Publisher of USAfrica, USAfricaonline.com and the Nigeria360 e-group. https://usafricaonline.com/2011/12/17/nigeria-federal-republic-of-insecurity-by-chido-nwangwu/ : IF any of the Nigerian President’s 100 advisers has the polite courage for the extraordinary task of reminding His Excellency of his foremost, sworn, constitutional obligation to the national interest about security and safety of Nigerians and all who sojourn in Nigeria, please whisper clearly to Mr. President that I said, respectfully: Nigerians, at home and abroad, are still concerned and afraid for living in what I call Nigeria’s Federal Republic of Insecurity. FULL text of commentary at USAfricaonline.com https://usafricaonline.com/2011/12/17/nigeria-federal-republic-of-insecurity-by-chido-nwangwu/