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South Africa 2010: Popular Support But Below Par Performance For African Countries
By Stan Tabi and Zelifac Asong
A colorful kick off ceremony, jammed packed stadiums with deafening beelike humming from the rubber trumpets popularly known as vuvuzela, cases of theft reported by some foreign journalists, protests by workers of a security outfit over wages, et al, the South Africa 2010 world cup has been a thriller of sorts so far. There have been a number of upsets from the very beginning. Even if it gets eliminated at some point , the heroic one all draw registered by a star studded and over rated England in the minds of many Americans maybe akin to winning the trophy, not even the greatest of fortune tellers will have revealed that little fancied Switzerland will humbled one of the leading containers and current European Champions Spain , or that the North Koreans with a stubbornness eerily similar to that of its leader on the international scene will hold mighty Brazil to a tie in the first half and only lost at end two one. The surprises have only added to the fun and excitement with the unfortunate development been the below par performance of African countries.
Holding on African soil for the first time, support for African flag bearers has been terrific. From those in South Africa ,to those glued on TV sets support by Africans for the continents Teams largely goes beyond the level of flag and nationality. Results from the field of able have failed to match this impressive show of support with the raise the high hopes expressed at the onset of the tournament are at the moment very hazy. South Africa many believed had the potential to beat Mexico. The promising draw the Bafana Bafana earned may end up been their undoing as there surprisingly came down three goals to zero in their second game against Uruguay. One of the heaviest defeats for a host country in recent times and even a victory against the lackluster French National Team in their last game may not be any guarantee for a spot in the second round..jpg)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was in South Africa so too was a large delegation of government officials ,governors and Senators. This did not however influence the fortunes of the Super Eagles of Nigeria as there literally becomes the first side to be knocked out of contention for a spot in the second round. There gave Argentina a tough time and fell only by a goal to nothing with the best goalkeeping in the world cup so far produced by its keeper Vincent Enyeama who denied multiple offensives from current world's best player Lionel Messi. Expected to bounce back from this set back in their second game against Greece, the Super Eagles betrayed the continent by losing a goal to two .A defeat that many did not see coming. Fired after qualifying the Team for the World Cup and emerging third at the African Nations Cup for insufficient results, the Nigerian born coach Shoibu Amodu must be having a chuckle of sorts now in amusement at those who thought an expatriate could produce better results.Consider at the beginning as one of Africa's best hopes, the Indomitable Lions of Group produced what as of writing this piece can be considered the worst brand of football. Against little fancied Japan, the Lions led by Samuel Eto'o Fils a hero of two consecutive trebles in Europe with Barcelona of Spain and Inter Milan of Italy failed to impress neither their large number of supporters nor the Japanese who said to hell and dealt them a stunning one nil defeat. Reports of internal squabbles have been and with their next two games against Denmark and European giants Holland, the Lions will have an uphill task to make it to the second round. A defeat against Denmark in their next game will mark their exit from the tournament. With the amount of talent that the team has, this will be out rightly pathetic.
In the same group with Algeria and the USA, Algeria had a chance of taking off to a glorious start with a positive result against Slovania. The chances were blown and the Slovanians came away with a one nil victory. Defeat against England sends the team packing.
Africans have however gotten consolation in the great performances of Ghana and Ivory Coast. Ghana got Africa's lone victory in the first round of matches with a one nil victory over Serbia with some impressive display of good football. The Elephants of Ivory Coast held Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo to a zero all tie after dominating the game. With matches against Brazil and North Korea, the Ivorians have all their chances intact. Of the three red cards dished out so far, Africa has obtained two.
Worth pointing out also is the fact that this is the first time that Africa has participated at the world cup with six teams. The support for African Teams has been a lesson in solidarity which ever ones forge ahead is sure to receive maximum backing. The surprises, the vuvuzela, extraordinary ambiance and warm hospitality will however remain fresh in the minds of all those who followed up this exciting first world cup on African soil.
