Nairobi — Debate is rife in Ghana as to whether or not the isolated incidents of violence coupled with technical hitches during the recently concluded African Cup of Nations.
The first ever tournament to be co-hosted by two nations would ditch the continent's quest to host the World Cup in 2006. Africa's biannual soccer tournament was co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana from late January to mid- February.
Morocco and South Africa, long regarded as some of the top candidates to be given the nod by the world soccer body FIFE to host the 2006 World Cup on behalf of Africa suddenly appear to be facing a hurdle in their efforts to become the first to host such soccer festival in Africa.
After Japan and South Korea gained the right to co-host soccer's biggest extravaganza in 2002, Africa remains the only continent yet to taste the tournament. This has raised emotional sentiments and makes Africa's case even stronger, but some events which have raised questions around Africa's preparedness to host the world cup came up in the wake of Cup of Nations 2000.
There was the issue of empty stadiums when the home teams were not playing and rowdy home fans. An example is the preliminary match in Lagos' Surlier Stadium between the home team, Nigeria and the underrated Congo Brazzaville. Following a goalies draw between these two sides, Nigerian fans attacked their team with stones, plastic bottles and anything they could lay their hands on. That was not the end. During the quarter final match between Nigeria and Senegal, the same fans invaded the pitch after the Nigeria team, the Super Eagles scored their second goal in extra time thinking that the sudden death rule was being applied.
Back in Ghana, angry fans pelted the players and officials with stones and water after the Elephants of Cootie d'Ivoire beat the home team, the Black Stars 2-0 in the last preliminary match of their group.
The failure of the lights at Surulere during the match between Morocco and Congo only added to the misfortunes that have plagued the tournament and could prove detrimental to Africa's bid. Also, the failure of the Moroccan team to progress beyond the group stages must have dealt a knockout to that country's chances to host the World Cup in 2006. The resignation of the Moroccan coach and the agitation by the country's newspapers for the sacking of some players of the national team all but suggest that Morocco's chances are waning.
But the most embarrassing incident of all happened to the Ivories team, hours after they returned home early following a first round exit from the tournament. Brigadier Robert GUI, a former Chief of Staff who overthrew the civilian government of Henri Bedie on December 24 had the team detained in a military camp for a number of days. The offence? The highly rated squad, packed with European based professional footballers had failed to reach the quarter finals of the tournament. Typical of the military, the players were drilled and lectured on national pride and discipline. Since the coup these military rulers have taken a lot of battering from local and international media, but the battering has done little to change the bad image and their action on the team can only make matters worse.
In fact, reports from Europe indicate that FIFA President Sepp Blatter may be reconsidering his previously unwavering support for an African bid. This development could prove costly for Africa's front runner, South Africa, especially when England and Germany have been quick to exploit the problems of the tournament against Africa. Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula, the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association says it is unfair if the shortcomings of the fiesta are used as measuring rods for South Africa and Morocco.
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But Africa could prove to be its own undoing given the fact that Morocco and South Africa are not prepared to compromise on a single candidate for Africa. In the run-up to this year's tournament the two countries sent their Bidding Committees to Accra to drum up support for their bids. To date, their banners, touting each other as the best candidate for the continent are still flying in Accra. Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issah Hayatou has not hidden his frustration at the hard stance of Africa's two representatives. In his recent statement, he appealed to them to back down from their positions and compromise to give Africa an edge or risk losing it altogether.
AFRICANEWS News & Views on Africa from Africa Koinonia Media Centre, P.O. Box 8034, Nairobi, Kenya email: amani@iol.it
