tag:theconversation.com,2011:/id/topics/sadio-mane-54749/articlesSadio Mané – The Conversation2022-12-14T21:01:17Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1933312022-12-14T21:01:17Z2022-12-14T21:01:17Z6 moments in African football in 2022 that will be talked about for years to come<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/498014/original/file-20221129-12-csc9v0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">South Africa wins the Women's African Cup of Nations in Rabat as the women's game grows.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>2022 was a significant year for African football. It was a benchmark for the women’s game and a year that may mark the first real move into African football as a business rather than football as development. It ended with some thrilling matches at the men’s <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022">World Cup</a> in Qatar, proving the real progress made by teams from African countries.</p>
<p>The first full year of a return to the sport after the COVID pandemic, 2022 has shown that the African game is able to grow and claim its own space in world football beyond the headlines generated by star African players like <a href="https://theconversation.com/superstars-sadio-mane-and-mo-salah-eclipse-african-football-at-home-187183">Mo Salah and Sadio Mané</a> playing for high profile European clubs.</p>
<p>Each of the six key events I’ve noted here presented a watershed moment. We may not all agree on the order, but can be sure they will be talked about for years to come.</p>
<h2>Afcon wins new respect</h2>
<p>Many top African footballers play for clubs in Europe. Late in 2021, the <a href="https://www.ecaeurope.com">European Club Association</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/15/africa-cup-of-nations-to-go-ahead-despite-european-clubs-threat-say-organisers">threatened</a> to prevent key players from representing their countries at the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/">Africa Cup of Nations</a> (Afcon) tournament in 2022. They cited COVID-19 problems and conflict with the scheduling of league football in Europe. The Conversation Africa <a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">projected</a> that the <a href="https://www.premierleague.com">English Premier League</a> alone stood to lose up to 37 players to Afcon. </p>
<p>But the African countries stood their ground and insisted on the release of the players. Importantly, several key figures in football, including European club manager <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.za/patrick-vieira/profil/trainer/20029">Patrick Vieira</a>, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2022/01/08/the-african-cup-of-nations-deserves-as-much-respect-as-any-continental-tournament/?sh=493a0c284c4d">demanded</a> that Afcon be respected. In the end, the European clubs bowed and released their players to participate in Africa’s most glamorous football tournament. </p>
<p>Afcon went on to achieve <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/records-numbers-for-totalenergies-africa-cup-of-nations-fan-engagement-tournamen#:%7E:text=Impressions%20across%20all%20channels%20is,visits%20happened%20on%20Twitter%20only.&text=The%20YouTube%20channel%20has%20hit,time%20from%20opening%20to%20finale.&text=300%20million%20video%20views%20..">record numbers</a> in fan engagement, with over 1 billion video views worldwide and unprecedented social media attention. </p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">Afcon demands global respect, opens a new chapter for African football</a>
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<h2>Women’s football scores big</h2>
<p>Club tournament the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/caf-women-champions-league/">African Women’s Champions League</a> is barely two years old and there was no prize money on offer in 2021. But, in a stunning <a href="https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2022/10/20/caf-unveils-prize-money-womens-champions-league/">announcement</a>, the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com">Confederation of African Football</a> (Caf) offered a purse for 2022. Winners now receive US$400,000 and the runner-up and third-placed teams US$250,000 and US$200,000. These are noteworthy figures, even compared to the prize for a club winning the Women’s Champions League in Europe. There, the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/womens-champions-league-prize-money-barcelona-lyon/npbhtgbvkhqg8eqri0ruq0ls">published prize</a> for 2022 was US$230,000 or £200,000. ASFAR from Morocco <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/caf-women-champions-league/2022/news/asfar-dethrone-mamelodi-sundowns-to-win-first-caf-women-s-champions-league-title">triumphed</a> over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa.</p>
<p>The prize money demonstrates a genuine move by Caf to improve women’s football on the continent and it will surely trigger more participation by women in the sport across various African countries. With such interest, media will follow to further raise the game’s profile. </p>
<h2>Africa makes its mark at the World Cup</h2>
<p>Before the 2022 men’s football World Cup, Africa had <a href="https://theconversation.com/world-cup-final-16-african-performances-mark-a-definitive-moment-in-football-195888">previously presented</a> three teams at the quarter final stage – in 1990 (Cameroon), 2002 (Senegal) and 2010 (Ghana). Morocco joined that list in 2022 and then went a step further, making history by becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. However, Morocco reaching this zenith was not the only story for Africa at the 2022 World Cup. </p>
<p>This World Cup marked the only finals in which Africa had won <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/12702687/world-cup-2022-state-of-play-live-group-tables-results-and-fixtures-in-qatar">eight games</a> in regulation time. The previous highest total was four – in 2002 and 2010. This clearly marks major progress, more than a 75% win increase.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A football team poses in the middle of a field with a bank of cameras taping and photographing them." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500387/original/file-20221212-103551-h6rrf6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=471&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">The Moroccan team celebrates victory in the quarter-final of the World Cup.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Alex Grimm/Getty Images</span></span>
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<h2>Video assistant referees introduced</h2>
<p>Although <a href="https://www.fifa.com/technical/football-technology/football-technologies-and-innovations-at-the-fifa-world-cup-2022/video-assistant-referee-var">video assistant referees</a> are now a common part of global football, referees watching the game on video screens was new at Afcon in 2022. The system was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-ug/news/afcon-2021-caf-confirms-var-to-be-used-in-all-52-matches-in-cameroon/blt7738c819ec7a536e">used</a> for the first time in the final stage and proved crucial in helping match officials make decisions. </p>
<p>Several games were decided by video analysis following video replays. It was critical in deciding a knockout stage <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1554682/Everton-news-Alex-Iwobi-red-card-Nigeria-AFCON-exit-Tunisia">game</a> between Nigeria and Tunisia, for example. A video replay led to the disqualification of a Nigerian player as his team chased an equalising goal. Although the system has been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/var-penalty-kick-scotland-womens-world-cup-2019-6">challenged</a> at other tournaments, it was considered a success at Afcon. </p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/morocco-vs-south-africa-as-womens-football-enters-a-new-era-187267">Morocco vs South Africa as women's football enters a new era</a>
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<h2>New powers in the women’s game</h2>
<p>Nigeria had <a href="https://theconversation.com/womens-football-in-nigeria-has-a-long-history-of-defiance-154573">dominated</a> African women’s football for so long that for years there was no contest at the continental championship level. However, the hard work of countries like Morocco, South Africa and Ivory Coast has gradually started to <a href="https://theconversation.com/womens-afcon-2022-nigeria-sweats-as-morocco-and-cote-divoire-usher-in-new-era-177844">pay off</a>. </p>
<p>At this year’s <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/totalenergies-womens-africa-cup-of-nations/">Women’s Africa Cup of Nations</a> (Wafcon), Ivory Coast failed to qualify, beaten by Nigeria despite its <a href="https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/france2019/teams/1885020">credible performance</a> at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. However, Nigeria found that its dominance at Wafcon had come to an end. Nigeria was eliminated by hosts Morocco at the semi-final stage and then beaten by Zambia in a tough third place game. Morocco, playing eye catching football throughout the tournament, lost to South Africa in the <a href="https://africa.cgtn.com/2022/07/24/south-africa-defeats-morocco-to-win-first-wafcon-title/">final</a>. South Africa had earlier dealt Nigeria a blow at the group stage. </p>
<p>These performances and results demonstrate the spreading of top level talent and teams across the continent. </p>
<h2>A brand new league</h2>
<p>The biggest development of the year, however, has to be Caf’s <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-launches-groundbreaking-africa-super-league">announcement</a> of a new league for African premier clubs, starting in 2023. The lucrative new Africa Super League involves the continent’s best clubs, some countries providing as many as three teams and others none. </p>
<p>This competition is made for TV, designed to generate revenue from deep-pocket sponsors through broadcast rights. The tournament will replace the African Champions League as the continent’s premier club competition and will be dominated by the big North African clubs from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. With top West African players <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40175150#metadata_info_tab_contents">migrating</a> to Europe and Asia in recent years, the North Africans have dominated. </p>
<p>In the long term this should help develop stronger, better funded African clubs, better able to keep some top talents at home. If Caf is able to pull this off, it will be a significant watershed in African football. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-lucrative-new-african-football-league-is-coming-the-pros-and-cons-188826">A lucrative new African football league is coming: the pros and cons</a>
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<p>Caf’s <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/dr-patrice-motsepe-elected-7th-caf-president-unopposed-in-rabat">new leadership</a>, elected in 2021, came in with an ambitious ten-point plan to revitalise African football. It hasn’t been easy, given the state of finances that it inherited, including the loss of a major sponsorship. Yet, its activities in 2022 have demonstrated the potential to dramatically open new vistas.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193331/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Chuka Onwumechili does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>There was a significant shift towards African football as a business rather than football as development.Chuka Onwumechili, Professor of Communications, Howard UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1871832022-07-19T13:50:15Z2022-07-19T13:50:15ZSuperstars Sadio Mané and Mo Salah eclipse African football at home<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/474624/original/file-20220718-51582-f7agqp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Sadio Mané (left) with Mohamed Salah in 2018 when both played for Liverpool. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Senegal’s <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.za/sadio-mane/profil/spieler/200512">Sadio Mané</a> has beaten Egypt’s <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.za/mohamed-salah/profil/spieler/148455">Mo Salah</a> and the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/awards/nominees">other </a>nine players nominated for the African Footballer of the Year <a href="https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/african-footballer-of-the-year-mo-salah-and-sadio-mane-nominated#:%7E:text=Sadio%20Mane%20and%20four%20current,due%20to%20the%20COVID%20pandemic">prize</a> at this year’s <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/22/sadio-mane-asisat-oshoala-win-african-player-of-the-year-awards">Caf Awards</a> held by the Confederation of African Football in Rabat, Morocco. </p>
<p>Both Mané and Salah – the clear favourites – rose to global prominence playing for Liverpool in the <a href="https://www.premierleague.com">English Premier League</a>, propelling the club to three champions league finals and winning a title. Both have won Caf player of the year before, Salah twice in 2017 and 2018, and Mané once in 2019. Now Mané has evened the score at 2-2.</p>
<p>Star forwards, their pursuits on the field are the stuff of fame and constant headlines. Mané grew up in the village of Bambali, Senegal and began his professional career at 19. Salah was born in Basyoun, Egypt and was also a football-loving child. He signed his first contract with a local club at 14. As African players shine in Europe, they are at the front of the changing face of international football.</p>
<p>There are thousands of African players like them, born and raised in humble circumstances with football offering a rare escape from poverty. Each of these players aspires to hold trophies in their hands. While Salah and Mané pave the way, the constant media attention on the exploits of African players in Europe tends to downplay the heroic exploits of African-based stars in national leagues and Pan African club competitions. </p>
<p>This lack of visibility could create an impression that top class football is played only in Europe. While Mané and Salah brought headlines to the 2022 prize, there are several other awards on the night that help highlight the talent working at home.</p>
<h2>Mané or Salah?</h2>
<p>Mané is now reigning Caf player of the year since 2019 as the COVID pandemic and schedule changes postponed it for two years. Having recently joined Bayern Munich in Germany from Liverpool in the UK, he is one of several Africans playing in the English Premier League who made the 2022 shortlist. In fact five of the ten do.</p>
<p>All along Mané was the favourite to win again this year after leading Senegal to <a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">glory</a> for the first time at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in February. The country also qualified for the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022">World Cup Qatar 2022</a>. Mané was voted best player of Afcon. </p>
<p>However, Salah also had strong credentials. A great season saw him <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/liverpool-salah-premier-league-playmaker-of-the-season-most/blt1bad52738fbe5f90">win</a> top scorer and player with the most goal assists in the Premier League. He was the Professional Footballers’ Association and Player Writer’s <a href="https://theathletic.com/news/mohamed-salah-pfa-player-of-the-year/swwwqT7riQhP/">footballer of the year</a>, beating Mané. </p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">Afcon demands global respect, opens a new chapter for African football</a>
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<p>But given the fact that this award is for a player who best represents African football, it would have been an upset if Mané’s national accomplishments at Afcon had not prevailed over the individual accolades for Salah.</p>
<h2>The other contenders</h2>
<p>While Mané and Salah were standout candidates, flying below the radar for CAF’s male footballer of the year was Senegal and Chelsea goalkeeper <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/edouard-mendy/erfolge/spieler/442531">Edouard Mendy</a>. This season he was in the winning teams at the FIFA Club World Cup, AFCON and the UEFA Supercup. He was <a href="https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/official-chelseas-edouard-mendy-named-the-best-fifa-goalkeeper-for-2021">World’s Best Goalkeeper</a> in 2021. Although goalkeeping is not a high profile position, Mendy’s performance credentials made him a favourite. Had he won he would have been only the third goalkeeper to do so and the first since 1986.</p>
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<span class="caption">Al Ahly’s South African coach Pitso Mosimane missed out on best coach award.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images</span></span>
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<p>The English Premier League dominated the shortlist when it comes to clubs, but when it comes to countries Senegal came out on top with three players. Cameroon had two and Egypt, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Algeria each had one. Geographically speaking, West and Central Africa edged out North Africa. Despite Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia and South Africa having a high sporting profile, they are nowhere on the list.</p>
<h2>African clubs miss out</h2>
<p>The last time an African-based player won player of the year was Egypt’s <a href="https://africanfootball.com/news/782134/Honouring-the-great-Mahmoud-El-Khatib">Mahmoud El Khatib</a>. The last four decades have witnessed a complete transformation in the African football and global football landscapes. Most African stars ply their trade in Europe where they are paid millions of dollars. It’s hard for an African club to house a player that can replicate El Khatib’s accomplishment. It is regrettable that excelling in Europe increasingly provides a more compelling case to be voted a CAF player of the year.</p>
<p>However, there were <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/press-release/news/caf-release-star-studded-final-shortlist-for-caf-awards-2022-in-men-s-categories">seven other categories</a> at the CAF awards that offered better chances for African-based nominees to <a href="https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/african-football/all-2022-caf-award-winners-revealed/720940">win</a>. These included coach of the year to Aliou Cissé, Senegal for best national team and trophies for best club and interclub players.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-four-big-challenges-facing-patrice-motsepe-africas-new-soccer-boss-157015">The four big challenges facing Patrice Motsepe, Africa's new soccer boss</a>
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<p>A Caf award sets winners apart as all time greats to be talked about for generations; it sets up contracts and financial opportunities. Even as Mané and Salah attracted the lion’s share of the headlines, one should remember that many more talented players are waiting in the wings – but they will require identifying and nurturing. Caf, national football associations and African clubs have an obligation to invest in and unearth this talent while also celebrating their stars.</p>
<p><em>This article was updated to reflect the results of the awards</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187183/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The Caf African Player of the Year is named on 21 July – but it’s only one of eight trophies being handed out.Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Professor, Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at TylerLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1759652022-02-17T13:59:53Z2022-02-17T13:59:53ZThe fighting spirit of young African footballers who migrate overseas<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/445947/original/file-20220211-27-1049tuo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Young players train with Cameroon star striker Vincent Aboubakar who plays for Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO/AFP via Getty Images</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>When <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/players/6519/Sadio-Man%C3%A9/overview">Sadio Mané</a> scored the decisive penalty to secure Senegal’s <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60186276">triumph</a> over Egypt at the <a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">Africa Cup of Nations</a> in <a href="https://theconversation.com/drama-delays-and-domestic-unrest-why-hosting-afcon-is-so-important-for-cameroon-174721">Cameroon</a>, Isaak, a professional Ghanaian footballer in his late 20s, could not have been further away from the action. Watching the final online in his room in eastern Thailand, Isaak’s thoughts most likely turned to what might have been had he managed to better navigate some critical forks in the road of his football career. </p>
<p>Isaak is one of several dozen African players we interviewed for our new book <a href="https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526120298/"><em>African Football Migration</em></a>. Their experiences and trajectories reflect the reality of life for the majority of African footballers who aspire to successful careers overseas – but frequently labour far beyond the bright lights of the elite game enjoyed by icons like Mané.</p>
<h2>Football migration</h2>
<p>Migration has long been an important livelihood strategy in many African countries. Migrating through football has more recently come to be viewed by increasing numbers of young people as a viable route to significantly improving their life chances. </p>
<p>This trend is a consequence of multiple intersecting factors, ranging from economic precarity, a declining faith in education and a weak local football industry. The commercialisation of football economies in Europe and some Asian countries over the last 30 years has made them prized destinations for aspiring African migrant footballers. </p>
<p>Thousands of African talents have tried to follow in the footsteps of iconic footballers such as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Essien">Michael Essien</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Etoo">Samuel Eto’o</a>, Mané and <a href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Mohamed-Salah/631518">Mohamed Salah</a>. However, for most the chance of succeeding is minimal.</p>
<p>Our <a href="https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526120298/">ethnographic fieldwork</a> in Africa, Europe and South-East Asia alongside numerous conversations with young footballers, parents, coaches, club owners and intermediaries reveals the precarious structures and career trajectories that characterise African football migration. How these young players navigate uncertainty and failure as they try to make it big overseas is reflected in Isaak’s story.</p>
<h2>Isaak’s story</h2>
<p>Isaak’s prospects looked hopeful at first. In 2012, he was a talented midfielder playing for Ghana’s national U-17 team, the Black Starlets. This enhanced his visibility and the chance of a contract with a club abroad. Through the Black Starlets he encountered a Ghanaian footballer and player agent based in Thailand, who promised him trials with professional clubs in the South-East Asian country.</p>
<p>Isaak believed this would be a stepping stone to a prestigious league in Europe, despite having no prior knowledge of Thailand or its football industry. He was reassured by his agent that necessary arrangements and logistics had been taken care of. All that was required was for him to reimburse the agent for his initial financial outlay and services once he signed for a Thai club.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-demands-global-respect-opens-a-new-chapter-for-african-football-176552">Afcon demands global respect, opens a new chapter for African football</a>
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<p>Isaak’s parents and elder brother were supportive, seeing an opportunity to secure the family’s livelihood. Shortly after the Thai authorities issued a three-month tourist visa, Isaak boarded a plane to Bangkok with six other Ghanaian players promised similar deals. The agent picked them up from the airport and brought them to their rented accommodation. It soon became clear the promised trials had not been organised. As Isaak <a href="https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526120298/">saw it</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Everything was a lie … Seven players in a small room. No windows, no air condition(ing), nothing. I was the youngest, so I had to sleep on the floor … There was nowhere to go, so we stayed in the room all day. At times, no food for me for the whole day … I was really suffering.</p>
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<h2>Precarious trajectories</h2>
<p>This <a href="https://blog.lboro.ac.uk/news/politics/10-step-guide-to-football-trafficking/">sort of experience</a> is <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-search-for-footballs-next-big-thing-is-fuelling-a-modern-day-slave-trade-121350">not uncommon</a> among migrating African footballers. Many encounter fraud, disillusionment, racism and economic hardship as they pursue a professional contract in South-East Asia, Europe or elsewhere. A litany of media reports detailing instances of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/may/16/football-broken-dreams-african-teenagers-sold-premier-league-lie-nepal">trafficking and exploitation</a> attests to this. </p>
<p>However, despite their struggles, African migrant players, including Isaak, <a href="https://nai.uu.se/news-and-events/news/2019-06-04-migrant-footballers-far-from-the-glitz.html">rarely give up on their dream</a>. Rather, they retain a belief that hard work, talent, luck, persistence and for some, divine intervention, will secure their and their family’s futures.</p>
<p>Ten years after his move to Thailand, Isaak remained in the game. He had established himself in the lower reaches of the Thai game, playing for various clubs in third- and fourth-tier divisions. His career continued to be highly precarious and uncertain. Contracts were always short-term and his salary just enough to get by and occasionally send some money home. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-precarious-fate-of-african-footballers-in-europe-after-their-game-ends-153510">The precarious fate of African footballers in Europe after their game ends</a>
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<p>In 2020/21 COVID-19 resulted in the termination of his contract. Nonetheless, Isaak continued to view his career as a launching pad for Europe. A route to social mobility was restored with a new contract after the recommencement of Thailand’s third division. Like so many other African migrant footballers, Isaak will likely continue to labour and invest his physical capital in pursuit of a dream that’s unlikely to be realised.</p>
<h2>A persistent dream</h2>
<p>It is these intersecting aspirations, experiences and trajectories in the life courses of young African males that we unpack in <em>African Football Migration</em>. The book illustrates that the ability to navigate an unpredictable, highly competitive and commercialised industry is a key asset for African players. An embodied belief in their abilities to succeed and the need to make their migration project <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-fame-abroad-changes-african-footballers-way-of-life-back-home-132071">valuable</a> for themselves and others frequently mitigates the disillusionment and setbacks faced abroad. Staying in the game and keeping the hope of ‘making it’ alive gives meaning to their struggle, regardless of how precarious it may be. </p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A book cover with the words 'African football migration - aspirations, experiences and trajectories' and an illustration of children playing football in a street." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=896&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=896&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=896&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1125&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1125&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/445619/original/file-20220210-19-vn48m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1125&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<p>In the context of global inequality and restrictive migration regimes, it is likely that young African footballers will continue to see a career in the professional game overseas as a viable future path. </p>
<p>Our book reveals they are well aware of the pitfalls, barriers and imponderables that characterise this path. However, they press on regardless, exhibiting remarkable creativity and resilience as they cultivate a dream to follow in the footsteps of Sadio Mané and others who ‘made it’ against all odds.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/175965/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Christian Ungruhe received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme for this research.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>James Esson receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Paul Darby receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. </span></em></p>Aware of the high chance of failure, young African talents show remarkable creativity and resilience as they dream of being the next Sadio Mané.Christian Ungruhe, Research fellow, University of PassauJames Esson, Reader in Human Geography, Loughborough UniversityPaul Darby, Reader in Sport & Exercise, Ulster UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1765522022-02-07T18:01:41Z2022-02-07T18:01:41ZAfcon demands global respect, opens a new chapter for African football<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/444751/original/file-20220207-70545-b120th.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Sadio Mané celebrates his Ascon-winning penalty for Senegal against Egypt.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Visionhaus/Getty Images</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As the whistle blew on the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60186276">final</a> match, it was clear that this year’s edition of the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/">Africa Cup of Nations</a> (Afcon) has gone a long way to define a new chapter for the tournament, establishing it on the world football map. Not only has it successfully resisted pressure from European clubs who were reluctant to release African players, but the competition provided memorable moments for a global audience. And it culminated in a dream final between Senegal and Egypt, led by two of the world’s finest footballers – <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/players/6519/Sadio-Man%C3%A9/overview">Sadio Mané</a> and <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/players/5178/Mohamed-Salah/overview">Mohamed Salah</a>.</p>
<p>Africa insisted that its Afcon competition must be respected, especially by European clubs. This was a major focus when this year’s event started in Cameroon. </p>
<p>The first edition, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/columns/story/_/id/1007858/rewind-to-1957:-how-it-began-in-africa">established in 1957</a> in Khartoum, Sudan, started as a minor tournament in world football. The 34th edition in Cameroon attracted some of the best footballers in the world including Mané (Senegal), Salah (Egypt) and <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/players/4539/Wilfried-Zaha/overview">Wilfried Zaha</a> (Ivory Coast) and was televised in <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/news/totalenergies-afcon-2021-to-be-broadcast-in-over-150-countries-as-africa-s-bigge">150 countries</a> all over the world. This is thanks, in part, to the growing international status of Africa’s star players.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/afcon-group-stage-a-stride-forward-for-the-african-game-despite-low-scoring-175504">Afcon group stage: a stride forward for the African game despite low scoring</a>
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<h2>Europe’s displeasure</h2>
<p>At the beginning of this year’s edition, however, European clubs voiced their <a href="https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2021/12/03/eca-slams-fifas-biennial-plan-calls-urgent-talks-afcon-player-safety/">displeasure</a> at the prospect of losing valuable players to African national teams taking part in Afcon. This was initially couched as concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Yet <a href="https://www.actionnetwork.com/soccer/european-soccer-covid-19-tracker-real-madrid-manchester-united-among-hard-hit-clubs">league games in Europe</a>, where the impact of the pandemic was rife, were continuing. Moreover, the Confederation for African Football (CAF) <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/story/4562457/caf-limit-stadium-capacities-at-afcon-to-combat-covid-19">introduced measures</a> to protect participants and fans during the competition. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/football-and-politics-when-algeria-won-the-2019-africa-cup-of-nations-141158">Football and politics: when Algeria won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations</a>
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<p>After delays, Afcon 2021 was eventually scheduled for early 2022. European clubs were <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211215-european-clubs-may-withhold-players-for-africa-cup-of-nations">now concerned</a> that the competition takes place during the European football season. They would lose the services of some of their African players. The English Premier League alone stood to lose <a href="https://talksport.com/football/937756/afcon-premier-league-players-liverpool-chelsea-arsenal-man-united-leicester-west-ham-salah-mane-aubameyang-mahrez-partey/">37 players</a>. Liverpool, amid a race to win the English Premier League title, lost Mané and Salah as well as Naby Keita (Guinea), Arsenal lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon); Crystal Palace lost Zaha; Leicester lost Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) and so forth. </p>
<p>Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/klopp-journalist-little-tournament-afcon-comments/bltcd5c9eafc66827bc">decried</a> losing some of his key players to Afcon, which he described as a “little” tournament. However, Klopp’s concerns appear to have been misplaced. Liverpool was still in second place in the league by the beginning of February 2022. They had not lost ground. On the upside, Liverpool’s stars –- Mané and Salah – brought attention to the English club as they led their countries to an Afcon final broadcast to a worldwide audience. Of course, for many European clubs, some in perilous positions in domestic league competitions, a loss of a player could mean a plunge on the league table.</p>
<h2>Africa’s resistance</h2>
<p>Nonetheless, African teams <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/15/africa-cup-of-nations-to-go-ahead-despite-european-clubs-threat-say-organisers">demanded access</a> to the players, noting that January is a month reserved for international tournaments by FIFA. Many countries reacted <a href="https://www.eurosport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/2022/nigeria-accuse-watford-of-baring-fangs-with-emmanuel-dennis-out-of-africa-cup-of-nations-squad_sto8688386/story.shtml">angrily</a> to clubs refusing to release players for Afcon. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-four-big-challenges-facing-patrice-motsepe-africas-new-soccer-boss-157015">The four big challenges facing Patrice Motsepe, Africa's new soccer boss</a>
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<p>The reluctance by European clubs to release their African players for Afcon and the insistence by African countries to have those players represent them is a long-running struggle. However, CAF resisted Europe’s pressure more forcefully than ever. It issued a statement that the dates were set in stone and that the decision to stage Afcon in January and February <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/15/africa-cup-of-nations-to-go-ahead-despite-european-clubs-threat-say-organisers">was “alpha and omega”</a>. The tournament was not going to be moved in spite of Europe’s pressure and rumours.</p>
<p>Several former players, <a href="https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sport/football/2021/12/30/african-cup-of-nations-deserves-more-respect-demands-arsenal-legend-ian-wright/">including Ian Wright and Patrick Vieira,</a> voiced their support for the Afcon tournament and urged that it should be respected. Then <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/story/4566381/napolis-zambo-anguissa-clubs-have-to-respect-that-afcon-is-important-for-african-players">current players</a> and <a href="https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2453492437943/who-does-he-think-he-is-senegal-manager-savages-jurgen-klopp-after-controversial-afcon-comments">managers</a> also chimed in with their support. Patrick Vieira who manages Crystal Palace, affected by loss of players to the Afcon, <a href="https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1128234/i-will-never-stop-jordan-ayew-or-any-african-playe.html">said</a>:</p>
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<p>Maybe journalists here (in Europe) should go to Africa and cover it and then they will know what it means to the people in Africa.</p>
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<p>He has a <a href="https://www.theafricareport.com/6232/patrick-vieiras-football-academy-in-senegal/">football academy</a> in Senegal and is familiar with the importance of the competition for Africans.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-precarious-fate-of-african-footballers-in-europe-after-their-game-ends-153510">The precarious fate of African footballers in Europe after their game ends</a>
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<p>That support from the likes of Vieira and notable former internationals further defined a new chapter for Afcon in its quest to become a major tournament worldwide and to earn global respect. </p>
<p>Winning Afcon for the first time was such a big deal for Senegal that the country’s president Macky Sall <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-59931680">declared</a> the day after the final a public holiday. As large crowds descended on the streets of Dakar to celebrate a breakthrough win, it wasn’t just Senegal who was celebrating the latest edition of Afcon. It was also Afcon organisers, officials, players and fans – across the world.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/176552/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Chuka Onwumechili does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Thanks to the growing appeal of African football stars and a dream final, Afcon is establishing itself on the world sporting map.Chuka Onwumechili, Professor of Communications, Howard UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1747212022-01-11T14:12:19Z2022-01-11T14:12:19ZDrama, delays and domestic unrest: why hosting Afcon is so important for Cameroon<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/440242/original/file-20220111-17-1xywtrx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Cameroon players celebrate after winning the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 on home ground.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A year later than planned, due to COVID-19, the <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/">2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)</a> has successfully kicked off in Cameroon. The <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/afcon-africas-soccer-tournament-kicks-off-colorfully/a-60379152">opening match</a> of the 33rd edition of Afcon took place in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. In the spectacular opener, Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso after captain Vincent Aboubakar scored two penalty kicks. </p>
<p>For Cameroon, there is intensifying pressure to host a successful tournament for both on-pitch and off-pitch reasons.</p>
<p>It is 50 years since the country hosted the continental football showpiece. Given that the Afcon is hosted every two years – and given the Cameroon’s <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/446509/average-age-of-the-population-in-cameroon/">youthful population</a> – few locals will have first-hand recollections of the 1972 tournament. </p>
<p>There is a palpable sense of pride that Cameroon is hosting the Cup of Nations again. It’s a very different competition to the 1972 event. The biggest difference is sheer size. It has grown from an eight-team tournament with only six players based in clubs outside of Africa, to a 24 team tournament with 404 players based at European clubs plus others in the US, China, South Korea, India, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>As the group stage begins, hosting a successful tournament matters on many levels. On the pitch, Cameroon’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Etoo">Samuel Eto'o</a> has recently begun his presidency of the national football federation and expectations are high for the hosts to perform well on <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/cameroon-samuel-etoo-football-federation-president-afcon-pressure/a-60132359">home soil</a>. Economically, businesses in Cameroon all have their eyes on a revival and boost in <a href="https://theexchange.africa/countries/cameroon/afcon-cameroon-economy-kicks-off-caf/">revenue</a>. And, off the field, it is vitally important from a political perspective – given ongoing domestic unrest, security issues and a lack of national unity.</p>
<h2>Bumpy road</h2>
<p>Cameroon was due to host the tournament in 2019. But in November 2018, the organisers <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-losing-the-african-cup-of-nations-is-a-heavy-blow-for-cameroon-108610">stripped the country</a> of its hosting rights, citing a lack of confidence in the Central African nation’s readiness based on <a href="https://www.africanews.com/2018/09/29/is-cameroon-ready-to-host-afcon-2019/">infrastructure</a>. The tournament was given to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/46788780">Egypt</a> with Cameroon given hosting rights for 2021. </p>
<p>There have been further delays since. First, the Confederation of African Football moved the tournament forward to January 2021 to avoid <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/59698986">Cameroon’s rainy season</a>. Then the tournament has delayed to 2022 because of the COVID pandemic. </p>
<p>Even by December 2021 there were rumours the country wouldn’t be <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211221-africa-cup-of-nations-to-go-ahead-as-planned-in-cameroon-next-month">hosting</a> the tournament. The president of the Confederation of African Football arrived in Yaoundé to discuss concerns around organisation, incomplete building work and the threat of coronavirus outbreaks among players and staff.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-losing-the-african-cup-of-nations-is-a-heavy-blow-for-cameroon-108610">Why losing the African Cup of Nations is a heavy blow for Cameroon</a>
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<p>There are also continued concerns about ongoing domestic unrest in the country – a socio-political dispute which can be traced back to the end of the French and British colonial legacy and the formation of Cameroon as an <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350400600_Cameroonian_cricket_The_interface_between_local_and_dominant_colonial_ideologies">independent state</a>. </p>
<p>The well-documented divide relates to Anglophone Cameroonians, who constitute 20% of the population, feeling marginalised and exploited by the Francophone-dominated state and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357226346_Multiculturalism_and_policymaking_in_Africa">population</a>. A series of grievances recently <a href="https://www.springerprofessional.de/en/anglophone-secessionist-movements-in-cameroon/16058206">morphed</a> into political demands, strikes and riots. The government maintains it has a fair governance structure, yet English speaking Cameroonians still feel oppressed. </p>
<p>Government powers and Anglophone separatists have engaged in increasingly brutal violence amid reprisals to lay down their weapons and return to community life. In addition, government authorities have detained opposition activists who pursue outright separation from Cameroon with a new state called <a href="https://ambagov.org/">“Ambazonia”</a>. This is a major challenge regarding national unity and security. </p>
<p>The separatist movement signalled its intention to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/08/cameroons-pride-at-hosting-african-cup-of-nations-tempered-by-separatist-violence">disrupt the tournament</a>. A few days before kick-off, separatist fighters set off an improvised explosive device in Limbe, the coastal city due to host Afcon matches. Six were injured and property destroyed. </p>
<h2>Uniting the nation</h2>
<p>Football is the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19406940.2015.1102757">“king sport”</a> in Cameroon. But it has become more than a sport, with many Cameroonians arguing that <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19406940.2015.1102757?needAccess=true">football is politics</a>. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1754-9469.2011.01105.x">Previous research studies</a> show that football plays a very prominent role in building nationalism and unity in Cameroon. It’s therefore no surprise that the government has used football as bait to gain some form of stability when its power has been at stake. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A stadium full of brightly coloured - in red, yellow and green clothes and make-up - fans cheer for Cameroon, blowing vuvuzelas and holding flags." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/440250/original/file-20220111-19-sh0s54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Cameroon fans.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">KEPSEU/Xinhua via Getty Images</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Even President Paul Biya said ahead of the football mega event that hosting the tournament should help enhance unity and <a href="https://allafrica.com/stories/202201030342.html">solidarity</a>: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>We want it (Afcon) to be a great moment of brotherhood. Let us offer our guests the rich cultural diversity that has earned our country the nickname “Africa in miniature”.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>What to expect on the field</h2>
<p>So, after all the delays, drama and ongoing domestic unrest, we are finally here, and the hosts are keen to focus on the opportunities ahead.</p>
<p>On the field, Cameroon will continue to try and impress. Despite winning the tournament five times, it is Egypt who lead the way, with “The Pharaohs” having lifted the trophy a record seven times. Cameroon has less than a 3% chance of winning if you believe the betting market odds and team rankings at <a href="https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/01/afcon-2021-predictions-nigeria-morocco-egypt-cameroon-senegal-algeria/">The Analyst</a> website. And no host has won the competition since Egypt did back in 2006. Nevertheless, Cameroon arrives at the competition in good form after recently securing a place in the FIFA World Cup qualification third round.</p>
<p>Reigning Champions Algeria look strong favourites to win again, they are unbeaten in all matches since 2018 and have a favourable group on paper. Captained by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, they will be full of confidence after winning last month’s <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2021/12/18/algeria-beat-tunisia-to-win-fifa-arab-cup-2021">FIFA Arab Cup</a> in Doha. </p>
<p>2019 Afcon runners-up Senegal will be looking to go one better this year and come into the competition with the highest ranking of <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13505">20th in the world</a>. The team got off to the best possible start with Liverpool’s Sadio Mané scoring a dramatic last minute penalty winner in their <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59855748">first match</a> versus Zimbabwe.</p>
<p>But the constant threat of COVID-19 could play an unwanted role within the competition and there have already been <a href="https://theathletic.com/news/chelsea-keeper-mendy-tests-positive-for-covid-19-as-virus-hits-senegals-afcon-squad/EiyEUG85tEfi/">reported cases</a> in several squads: Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Gabon Tunisia, Malawi, Cape Verde Islands, and Ivory Coast. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/59924747">New guidelines</a> outlined this week – that teams who have a COVID-19 outbreak must field 11 players even if they do not have a fit goalkeeper – could make this competition one that won’t be forgotten.</p>
<p>And one person of note for Afcon 2021 will be referee <a href="https://www.givemesport.com/1815610-africa-cup-of-nations-salima-mukansanga-becomes-tournaments-first-ever-female-referee">Salima Mukansanga</a> from Rwanda. One of 63 officials, she will be the first female to referee at the championships.</p>
<p><em>Sheffield Hallam University lecturer Becky Ashworth provided additional research and writing contributions to this article.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/174721/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jo Clarke does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament is hugely important for Cameroon - politically, economically and on the pitch.Jo Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Sport Business Management, Sheffield Hallam UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1177562019-05-29T13:40:30Z2019-05-29T13:40:30ZWhat to expect from biggest ever Africa Cup of Nations tournament<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/276967/original/file-20190529-192428-1r9r069.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring a goal during the Afcon qualifying match between Egypt and Tunisia, 16 November 2018.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Khaled Elfiqi/EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, popularly known as Afcon, is the biennial championship in which Africa’s top men’s teams compete for the gold-plated African Nation Cup <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/1562471.stm">trophy</a>. The winner will hoist that trophy after the final on Friday 19 July at the Cairo International Stadium.</p>
<p>This tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will be the 32nd edition of the competition and the first in which the format has been expanded from 16 to 24 teams. All 24 teams have now confirmed their places.</p>
<p>According to a <a href="https://nielsensports.com/global-interest-football/">recent report</a> by Nielsen Sports, Africa is one of the most engaged football markets globally. It matches even regions like Europe and South America. This supports the CAF’s decision to increase the competitiveness of the tournament.</p>
<h2>Key things you need to know</h2>
<p>Current title holders Cameroon were stripped of hosting rights last year due to delays with preparations and security concerns. Egypt was then selected as the host nation. </p>
<p>The timing of the competition is good news for fans of European teams. For the first time in the tournament’s history it’s being held during the European summer. This means African players who play for European clubs such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mané (Senegal) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt), or Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) will not be withdrawn from club duty mid-season to participate in the tournament.</p>
<p>The 24 qualifying teams have been drawn into six groups of four teams each:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Group A: DR Congo - Egypt - Uganda - Zimbabwe</p></li>
<li><p>Group B: Burundi - Guinea - Madagascar - Nigeria</p></li>
<li><p>Group C: Algeria - Kenya - Senegal - Tanzania</p></li>
<li><p>Group D: Ivory Coast - Morocco - Namibia - South Africa</p></li>
<li><p>Group E: Angola - Mali - Mauritania - Tunisia</p></li>
<li><p>Group F: Benin - Cameroon - Ghana - Guinea Bissau.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>The teams in each group will play in a single round robin format. After the group stage, the top two teams and the four best third teams will advance to the round of 16. The winners will advance to the quarterfinals stage, and from then on, progress to the semifinals. The semifinal losers will contest a third-place match, while semifinal winners will advance to the final.</p>
<p>The full schedule of fixtures can be found on the <a href="http://www.cafonline.com">CAF website</a>.</p>
<p>Egypt is being tipped as the tournament favourite going into the competition. They have been champions of Africa more times than any other nation, and have lost only twice in their last 25 home games against African opponents. And of course they have the prolific goal-scoring machine, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/mohamed-salah">Mohamed Salah</a>, who is rated as being one of the best players in the world, both on club level for Liverpool and for Egypt.</p>
<h2>Top 10 facts</h2>
<ol>
<li><p>Only three countries (Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia) took part in the first tournament in February 1957 and there was no qualifying competition. Egypt won.</p></li>
<li><p>2019 will be the first time the tournament features 24 teams, after CAF decided to expand the tournament to enhance competitiveness.</p></li>
<li><p>Egypt will be hosts for a record fifth time. They previously staged the Cup of Nations in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006, winning three of those four tournaments and finishing third in the other.</p></li>
<li><p>Egypt has been the most successful nation, with seven titles, followed by Cameroon (five), Ghana (four), Nigeria (three) and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Ivory Coast (two each).</p></li>
<li><p>Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania will be making their debuts at the tournament in 2019. Madagascar was a surprise qualifier and was among the first to qualify in October 2018, while Mauritania secured their ticket a month later with a game still to play. Burundi was definitely the biggest surprise. It currently occupies 138th spot out of 211 in the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/">FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking</a>. Twelve teams are yet to qualify for Africa’s biggest football tournament, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gambia, Lesotho, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Somalia and South Sudan.</p></li>
<li><p>Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o is the leading overall Cup of Nations scorer, notching 18 goals in six tournaments between 2000 and 2010.</p></li>
<li><p>Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player at 44 years and 21 days to feature in the tournament when he faced Cameroon in the 2017 final in Libreville.</p></li>
<li><p>Shiva N'zigou of Gabon is the youngest player to feature and score at the tournament. He was 16 years and 93 days old when he played at Afcon in 2000, scoring for his team in a 1-3 defeat against South Africa.</p></li>
<li><p>The tournament has been switched to being held in odd-numbered years so as not to clash with the FIFA World Cup. Afcon will also, for the first time, be held mid-year, away from the traditional January – February window. This will alleviate the club-versus-country battles that have marred previous editions.</p></li>
<li><p>Three different trophies have been awarded during the tournament’s history. This is the third trophy, with the first and second awarded to Ghana and Cameroon in 1978 and 1984 respectively. Both won the trophy three times and therefore earned the right to keep it. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>The current trophy was first awarded in 2002, and Egypt won it indefinitely after completing their historic treble of titles in 2010. Unlike Ghana and Cameroon, Egypt were presented with a replica, albeit a special full size one that they were allowed to keep.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/117756/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jo Clarke does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Here is a run-down on everything you need to know ahead of the championships.Jo Clarke, Lecturer in Sport Business Management, Sheffield Hallam UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1000452018-07-22T09:38:38Z2018-07-22T09:38:38ZSenegal: the silver lining to Africa’s dismal World Cup showing<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/228408/original/file-20180719-142438-29tsg8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Senegal's World Cup coach Aliou Cissé.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Atef Safadi/EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>For the five African teams, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was a tournament of regret. Not even the fact that eventual champions France was packed with players with <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2018-07-01-meet-frances-world-cup-players-with-deep-african-roots/">African roots</a>, could heal the hurt. What made it more painful was that the continent’s strongest contender, Senegal, fell victim to FIFA’s controversial <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/news/world-cup-2018-senegal-japan-colombia-fifa-fair-play-tiebreaker-red-cards-yellow-cards/19quzgtibl2mj1u6wdfip3lhqy">“fair play”</a> rule. The West Africans were eliminated because they had more yellow cards than Japan.</p>
<p>The overall statistics paint a disappointing picture. All five African teams <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/africa-good-world-cup-2018-180716135536301.html">exited in the first round</a>, making it the worst performance by the continent since 1982, the last time not one African team made it to the second stage. Since then, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/feb/12/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-cameroon-argentina">Cameroon</a> (in 1990), <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/31/minutebyminute.worldcupfootball2002">Senegal</a> (2002) and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_58/default.stm">Ghana</a> (2010) have made it to the quarterfinals. Nigeria has regularly progressed to the second round. </p>
<p>North African teams have been less successful on the whole, but <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_2012000/2012894.stm">Morocco</a> (in 1986) and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/30/germany-algeria-world-cup-last-16-match-report">Algeria</a> (2014) at least reached the second round. </p>
<p>So does this year’s tournament represent a step back for an entire continent’s football dreams? The results would appear to suggest so. The five teams managed only three wins in 15 games. But there were encouraging performances from Nigeria and Morocco along the way, as well as Senegal. And it’s fair to say that it was unfortunate for the Senegalese to get knocked out at the first hurdle in the cruellest possible way. </p>
<h2>Senegal’s proud history</h2>
<p>The Senegalese team arrived in Russia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/18/senegal-aliou-cisse-confident-recreating-spirit-2002">quietly confident</a> that they would be able to replicate the success of the famous exploits of the country’s team in 2002. The team was drawn in an evenly matched group which contained neither overwhelming favourites nor rank outsiders. Coached by the captain of that year, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44642387">Aliou Cissé</a>, many observers tipped the Lions de la Teranga to advance to the next round, and possibly even further.</p>
<p>Things got off to a good start as they dispatched Poland 2-1 with the help of a controversial Mbaye Niang goal, the player reentering the pitch to score immediately after receiving treatment for a minor injury. Following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Japan, Senegal needed only to avoid defeat in the final group match against Colombia to ensure progress. </p>
<p>It was here that their hopes began to unravel. One moment of inattention at a corner kick was enough to allow Colombia’s Yerry Mina to head what would prove to be the winning goal. Senegal, equal to Japan on points and goals scored, became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated via the fair play ranking – they had two more yellow cards than their rivals. </p>
<h2>Victim to innovations</h2>
<p>This was not the first time that Senegal had fallen victim to the quirks and innovations in the game’s rules which are regularly unveiled, or scrapped, during major tournaments. Earlier in their game against Colombia, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41933128">Sadio Mané</a> won a penalty after being tackled by Davinson Sanchez in the penalty area, only for the referee to revoke the decision upon consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. The VAR was introduced to the World Cup for the first time this year. </p>
<p>In 2002, Senegal conceded the last ever <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-124501/Turkey-beat-Senegal-golden-goal.html">Golden Goal</a> scored in men’s international football to Turkey’s Ilhan Mansiz. This “sudden death” rule was subsequently changed, as it was deemed unfair that the conceding team should lose immediately without having the chance to respond. It appears likely that the fair play ruling will also make a swift exit, as its consequences were anything but fair.</p>
<p>Senegal could consider themselves hard done by, and rightly registered a <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-sen/senegal-ask-fifa-to-revise-fair-play-ruling-after-exit-idUKKBN1JR247">formal complaint</a> to FIFA asking the sport’s governing body to rethink the fair play rule. However, it would be incorrect to suggest that Senegal’s failure to progress beyond the first round was due to bad luck alone. </p>
<h2>Criticisms and accolades</h2>
<p>Aliou Cissé, the team’s charismatic coach won him many admirers during the tournament with his elegance and passion on the touchline. He will be left wondering if his approach was perhaps a little bit too cautious, especially during the Japan and Colombia games. </p>
<p>Whereas African teams at previous World Cups have been stereotyped as being exciting yet tactically naïve, the current Senegal squad displayed a tactical discipline and defensive solidity which reflected the fact that almost all of the players are employed in major European leagues. </p>
<p>But, for all the stability which Cissé managed to instil in his team, he failed to fully unleash the potential and flair of his highly talented attacking players. The totemic Sadio Mané was a mere shadow of the player who was so instrumental in Liverpool’s run to the European Champions’ League final last season. Also, the likes of Keita Baldé Diao and Diafra Sakho only featured sporadically – leading to criticism from some quarters that Cissé’s selections were too defensive. </p>
<p>Overall, however, there are many positives for Senegal to take from this World Cup. Although the result was disappointing, the team showed that they have a great deal to build on for future campaigns. It appears likely that the federation will persevere with Cissé, who showed that local coaches can more than compete with the <em>sorciers blancs</em> (“white magicians”) – European coaches who are often parachuted in to coach African sides at major tournaments. </p>
<p>As talented and youthful players such as Mané, Diao and Ismaila Sarr continue to improve and gain experience at the highest level, there is plenty to be optimistic about in Senegalese football.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100045/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mark Hann received funding from the European Research Council.</span></em></p>Although Senegal’s overall World Cup result was disappointing, the team showed that they have a great deal to build on for future campaigns.Mark Hann, Doctoral student in Anthropology, University of AmsterdamLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/972032018-06-11T10:41:38Z2018-06-11T10:41:38ZSenegal is counting on its World Cup football stars to lift its political gloom<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/221969/original/file-20180606-137312-xpsrhi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Senegal's starting 11 before a recent friendly against Luxembourg.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Julian Warnand/EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>With next year’s <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/senegal-set-vote-parliamentary-elections-170730034644334.html">presidential elections</a> on the horizon, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14093674">Senegal</a> is gripped by political and economic unrest. The recent <a href="https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/senegal-student-dies-in-clashes-with-police-over-grants-20180516">killing of a student</a> by a police officer during university protests over unpaid bursaries is just one tragic indicator of the upheaval, discontent and uncertainty which characterises the current climate. </p>
<p>Amid the turmoil, the Senegalese football team’s forthcoming participation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia presents a beacon of hope. Street vendors have begun to sell replica shirts in the national team’s white and green, and a mood of cautious optimism is unfolding. </p>
<p>In a country where the passion for sport is ubiquitous, a successful performance by the Lions de la Teranga at the world’s most prestigious tournament has the potential to bring momentary joy to a beleaguered population. This is precisely what happened during Senegal’s previous, and to date only, appearance at the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanstevenson/2010/06/the_story_of_the_2002_world_cu.html">World Cup finals in 2002</a>. </p>
<p>Entering the tournament as rank outsiders, a team of relative unknowns proceeded to sensationally beat the reigning champions and overwhelming favourites France in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/31/minutebyminute.worldcupfootball2002">opening match</a>. They then managed to advance to the quarter finals – as one of only three African teams to do so in the history of the competition.</p>
<p>Many of the stars of the 2002 generation went on to become household names in European club football. The likes of <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/el-hadji-diouf/profil/spieler/3604">El Hadji Diouf</a>, <a href="http://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/288">Salif Diao</a> and <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/papa-bouba-diop/profil/spieler/5485">Papa Bouba Diop</a> forged successful careers in England. The events of 2002 – and in particular the hugely symbolic victory over their former colonisers – announced Senegal’s arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the global game.</p>
<h2>Wrestling has overtaken football</h2>
<p>However, over the next decade and a half, Senegalese football stagnated somewhat. The national team failed to qualify for any of the subsequent three World Cups, and their performance at the African Cup of Nations was largely dismal. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, there is widespread agreement that the hugely popular sport of traditional wrestling has overtaken football as the nation’s favoured pastime. Combats between wrestling superstars sell out vast arenas and saturate the media. The <a href="http://www.africanews.com/2017/01/30/el-hadji-diouf-cherishes-senegal-s-2002-golden-generation//">Génération 2002</a>, as they would enter into lore, became a mythical emblem of past glories rather than the beginning of a new era of dominance.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/senegalese-wrestle-with-ethnicity-while-reaching-for-dreams-of-success-66073">Senegalese wrestle with ethnicity while reaching for dreams of success</a>
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</em>
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<p>It is only now, after several false starts, that the team – coached by the 2002 captain <a href="https://mg.co.za/tag/aliou-cisse">Aliou Cissé</a> – promise to recapture the glory of that famous outing in Japan and Korea. In contrast to the 2002 squad, most of whom played for lesser teams in the French championship, the current crop are far from unknown. </p>
<p>Led by the mercurial talents of Liverpool winger <a href="https://www.anfield-online.co.uk/squad/sadio-mane-profile.html">Sadio Mané</a>, the 2018 Lions boast a wealth of elite players from Europe’s leading football clubs. <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/profil/spieler/93128">Kalidou Koulibaly</a> of SSC Napoli is one of the game’s most in-demand defenders and <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/keita-balde/profil/spieler/238752">Keita Baldé Diao</a> is a star of the future at AS Monaco. </p>
<p>Midfielders Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Badou Ndiaye are all established at English Premier League clubs. There is a genuine sense that this team can achieve something special at the World Cup, perhaps even emulating their illustrious predecessors. </p>
<h2>Opiate of the masses</h2>
<p>It’s often suggested, misquoting Karl Marx, that sport (and football in particular) has replaced religion as the “opiate of the masses”. It provides illusory moments of happiness while distracting from problems or hardships. Indeed, it is often proposed that sporting success can be translated into political capital, allowing a regime to appear in a positive light, or glossing over its failings. </p>
<p>Following this logic, it is indeed possible that a successful World Cup in Russia might be welcomed by the incumbent president <a href="http://www.presidence.sn/en/presidency/biography">Macky Sall</a>, currently facing much opposition in his bid for reelection. Seen from a different angle, however, sports can also expose a society’s fissures and tensions.</p>
<p>When Cissé <a href="https://africanfootball.com/news/744470/Aliou-Cisse-defends-his-Senegal-team-selection">announced</a> the 23 players who would form the squad in Russia, he was not only listing the names of the elite athletes who would represent the country – he was revealing much about the relationship between football and Senegalese society. </p>
<p>It is striking to note, for instance, that not one single member of the squad plays his club football in Senegal. Among the 32 nations participating at this year’s tournament, only Sweden are in the same position of having their entire squad playing abroad. </p>
<p>The squads of the other African qualifiers – Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia – each include at least some players from their respective domestic leagues. Certainly, this points towards the relative weakness of the Senegalese league. It is chronically underfunded, does not usually attract large numbers of supporters and pays low wages.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-african-fans-love-european-football-a-senegalese-perspective-79856">Why African fans love European football - a Senegalese perspective</a>
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<h2>Football conveyor belts</h2>
<p>A flourishing domestic championship does not appear to be the primary aim of professional football in Senegal. It is perhaps no coincidence that two of the more successful teams in recent years have been the 2013 champions <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/07/football/senegal-football-school-diambars/index.html">Diambars</a>, and <a href="http://www.futbol24.com/team/Senegal/AS-Generation-Foot/">Génération Foot</a>, victorious in 2017. </p>
<p>These clubs, set up with external assistance from sportswear giant Adidas and French club, <a href="http://www.fcmetz.com/club/projet-de-club/academie-generation-foot">FC Metz</a> respectively, are <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-38402698/senegal-football-academy-we-teach-players-to-think-for-themselves">academies</a> dedicated to producing a conveyor belt of footballing talent for export to European leagues, while also pursuing educational and developmental goals. </p>
<p>Cissé’s selection includes a combined total of seven players who moved to Europe from these two academies, including the superstar Mané. With the increasing globalisation of football, the development and sale of talent has emerged as a lucrative industry – albeit one which has yet to contribute significantly to the development of Senegalese football at a domestic level. </p>
<p>Instead, there has been a proliferation of football schools and academies determined to cash in on the boom. With it, a wave of young men desperate to forge careers in European football. </p>
<p>While conducting a year’s fieldwork on sport aspirations in Dakar, I met countless young men who professed dreams of playing in Europe. In some cases, their families were counting on their success to lift them out of poverty, and enlisted the support of dubious agents to engineer trials and transfers. These often turned out to be scams. </p>
<p>This is a common story in African football – yet it reflects the economic situation within which the sport is embedded. Youth unemployment is at consistently high levels and irregular work in the informal economy often the only realistic prospect. Therefore becoming a well-paid footballer or a wrestler can seem like a worthwhile pursuit to thousands of young Senegalese men. </p>
<p>Many Senegalese migrate to Europe – by acquiring a visa, or by risky Mediterranean crossings. Indeed, Senegal’s long history of migration is reflected in the World Cup squad, with 10 squad members having been born in Europe, mostly in France. </p>
<p>Football, then, can be viewed as a prism through which to understand social phenomena. In the case of Senegal, even the announcement of the World Cup squad allows us to reflect about historical migration patterns, youth unemployment, and risks and inequalities in the global sports industries. </p>
<p>However, football can also bring about cohesion and togetherness. When the Lions de la Teranga face Poland in their first match in Russia, the whole Senegalese nation will be united in roaring them on to victory – and perhaps the beginning of another magical World Cup. </p>
<p><em>This article is based on research conducted as part of the GLOBALSPORT project based at the University of Amsterdam and funded by the European Research Council.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/97203/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mark Hann received funding from the European Research Council. (2013-2017) </span></em></p>When Senegal face Poland in their first World Cup match in Russia, the whole nation will be roaring them on to victory.Mark Hann, Doctoral student in Anthropology, University of AmsterdamLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.