Which African team would you bet on, in the ongoing FIFA WC?
In this World Cup, Ghana and Nigeria are the only two teams which have the possibility of moving to the rounds. Cameroon is full of dissention built in the team. Algeria is a very compact group with Belgium, Russia and South Korea. Ivory Coast full of talent, but it remains to be seen if they actually make it, because lots of players are over thirties like Didier Drogba, KoloToure, YayaToure. Earlier, whenever they have been in the World Cup they were placed tough. This could be a chance for them to redeem themselves. Ghana also is in the tough group. Nigeria only has a brighter chance of going ahead of the group stage.
What would be your advice to African football?
African teams face a few challenges. Major challenge is they tend to change the coaches, bringing in foreign coaches towards the final run up. It is a sign of a colonial hangover. As seen from the past, the last minute introduction of foreign coaches is detrimental, they cannot handle conflict. There is lot of European export in the squads, and so expectations are different. As a learning from the past, Nigeria has a local coach in Keshi Stephen this time. Ghana also. Local coaches bring that balance as they exactly understand the psyche of the players.
What is your view of Ivory Coast’s brightest player YayaToure’s comment that African players do not get what they truly deserve?
There is no denying occasional element of racism towards Africans. And its true that footballers from African countries have a grudging sense. Within clubs there is a tendency to stereotype Africans. But within the fraternity, it is diminishing. Like Cameroon. Now, they are coming of age. They are performing.
Do you feel Africans lack the killer spirit?
In 2002 Ghana and then Senegal proved that they could do it. Ghana was almost there. There is a definite sign of progress. They need just one break! One break Like South Korea did. In 94, in Italy they were truly leading. With time the Africans show much more professionalism now. They must get over mutual frustration like Cameroon. They need strong coaches, no foreigners though. Now, the West African countries have stolen the march. It is not Egypt.
What is the most positive aspect of the emerging African footballers?
African players have mixed well with the European teams, unlike Asia. Because of colonisation in the past, there is similarity in food, music and other recreations. Ivory Coast, Senegal, Dutch leagues blend very well. Asians on the other hand face challenge on the language, entertainment front. Players like Didier Drogba shine through not only for their extraordinary talent, but the way they take responsibility to improve their society. Asians only have Japan and South Korea for representation. They have their share of greats too. The legend, Eusébio, the Black Panther was from Mosambique. And the world knows how he single-handedly took the Portugal team to the semi-finals, in 1966. He set the trend, he broke the glass ceiling that ‘Africans don’t have it in them’. More and more are now trodding that route. There are healthy sings as more of such caliber are emerging. Africans do have best in those squads.
Give us your five deadliest from African squads.
- YayaToure (Ivory Coast)
- Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Andre Ayew (Ghana)
- Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Do you feel any of these teams can make it?
Finals can be easily ruled out. Africa had their best chance in South Africa, in 2010 where they messed up. I doubt even for their semi-finals entry. Quarter Finals looks difficult too.
In 2010, some of them tended to disintegrate. Most of them have a problem, that if one match does not go well they tend to loose it. They must understand that in all these countries it is no. 1 sport and their competition is against tough opponents. Ghana and Ivory Coast have been pitted against
champions. Nigeria has the best chances if they avoid France.
Football fantasy for football fanatics
How about a FIFA run through while we are at it?, says R.A.
Do you ‘why’ India is absent from world’s most passionate sport? Are you aware that the smug British ignored FIFA, at its formation in 1904? Or the fact that, racist Germany and Austria of group 2 did not play for 80 minutes (!) in 1982 WC to sabotage African (Algerian) initiation to QFs? Novy captures it all on the go as he embarks on the journey – FIFA’s growth – right from its embryonic stage. He pans out WC stats (of course! isn’t WC all about stats?), its controversies (unsurprisingly, there are aplenty!), its lineage and brow raising stuns – this book is a concise FIFA encyclopedia. It is published by Hachette India Pvt ltd. in run up to 2014 WC. It’s a weightless handy one, and hence finds its convenient place in your bag.
Self highlights in this small book never let you miss the not-to-be-missed facts. Novy talks one WC at a time – chiseling each game with statistics and analysis – which is why you can start on the WC you are keen to know about! Soon after he winds up any world cup, he gives you ‘Extra Time’ in grey bubbles at end of each WC chapter – which are smash-hit snacks! Chew this, ‘Extra Time’ for 1982 WC in Spain chapter reads, ‘When England beat France 3-1 in Bilbao, midfielder Bryan Robson scored the first goal in 27 seconds, a new World Cup record’.
Apart from being introduced to the who’s who of the game, you get a decent lesson on world history as well! Yeah, Novy does give you adequate background allowing you to seamlessly undertake the journey with him. The first international FIFA WC in 1924 was held at a tiny nation – Uruguay. That became a reason why many European heavy weights felt slighted. My favourite is the befitting reply the Uruguay manager gave in 1966 WC, ‘Other countries have history. Uruguay has its football’.
Novy’s impeccable SME style of deliverance is fascinating not only for a football fanatic but its gulp-it-down digest format is quite a deal for a soccer novice like me!