Why Does South America Shun Africa?
Despite ignoring Africa on many occasions, I thought and wished CONMEBOL would give
us a chance to parade our talent in this year's Copa America. Hugely talented
and favourites Argentina hosts this year's South American football showpiece
which is set kickoff on the 1st up to the 24th of June.
Due to the fact that CONMEBOL has only 10 nations registered with FIFA, they
invite 2 nations who are registered with FIFA from any other federations. This
year's invitees are set to be Mexico and Japan. Mexico have confirmed that they
will send their 2012 Olympic team since their senior team will be competing in
the CONCACAF Gold Cup which is scheduled to take place as from the 6th of to
the 25th of June. To be held in USA, no invitees will feature in this year's
Gold Cup.
Reigning Asian champions Japan have made a u-turn and stated that they will be
able to participate in Argentina despite the tsunami and the earthquake that
took place on the 11th of March. Japan's local league is currently suspended.
The news of Japan's withdrawal wasn't bad news to me. They need time for their
J-League which is currently suspended. Their withdrawal presented Africa with a
chance to be selected to compete in Copa America. It presented another chance
for CONMEBOL to take a look at African talent, hoping that they will see what
we are made of.
I'm baffled by the criteria they use to select their invitees. Tougher
opponents from Africa and Europe have never been invited, beside the recent invitation
they sent to reigning World and European Champions, Spain. Are they satisfied
competing with a junior Mexican side or they are just pleased in helping fellow
Americans in their Olympics games preparation? Copa America is the most
prestigious trophy in South American football and the winner represents the
continent in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Perhaps they don't want an invitee
that will go all the way to win the trophy. Unlike CONCACAF which gave us a
chance in inviting the Stuart Baxter coached Bafana Bafana in 2005, CONMEBOL
continue to ignore Africa.
Though Japan is currently ranked higher than all African countries, Ghana is
just two spots behind them. In the top 50, Africa has 8 countries compared to
Asia's 4. Beside South Korea's extra-ordinary run that saw them reaching the
semifinals on home soil in 2002, Africa has had more impact at the World Cups
and the Olympics. We even boast of quality players that can not be compared to
the Asian stars. Egypt raised the African flag very high in the confederations
Cup, but I'm not saying they are the ones that must be chosen.
So talented is Africa such that the legendary Pele was very impressed but
became the prophet of doom when he predicted that an African country would have
won the World Cup by the end of last century.
It seems CONMEBOL just wants to add two teams to make them twelve and create 3
groups, so they will continue selecting teams like the Mexican U-23 and those
Asian countries that won't give them any problems in beating. Even though
Africa and South America were attached to each other, as some Geographical
sources say, South America continue to shun Africa.
