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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

manuarechampsforever, In football you have names like Drogba,Essien,Song,Samuel Eto, Seydou Keita, Toure Brothers,Adebayour,Stephen appiah, do these names ring a bell, Hello!!!!!.you MAN U ARE A CHUMP FOREVER.................

Re #1
Europe is doing a great favor by involving lots of African players in their leagues,African nations should be more than grateful to the people of the world watching them , this is not of their incompetence but of thier corruption.
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Favor? That's why some of the clubs complain they'll miss the African players during CAN? Even now Ghana are missing a player who couldn't be released by their club. Let's get it right here; the relationship between club and player is symbiotic, a win-win for both parties.

Grateful? Those who want thanks because of their watching can close their eyes or go watch somebody/something else that will be grateful to them.

Corruption? That's endemic worldwide and we don't need to be patronised/matronised about it.

There's a difficult balance to strike here. On one hand all football fans have to acknowledge the emergence of African teams in world football since Cameroon in 1990 and the world-class players they have provided to various European sides over the last few decades. However, too frequently this has been done in a patronising way: a quick 'haven't you done well!' and a pat on the head. African nations don't want to be patronised and they want their acheivements to be recognised as acheivements in themselves, not that they've done especially well because they're an African team.

Unfortunately, this blog highlights some of the ways in which Africa - always led by CAF - manages to shoot itself in the foot. Training pitches without goalposts, a dubious pitch for the final of the tournament (FA take note!), matches where both teams know that a particular result will see them both through. This is a massively significant tournament and these are unacceptable issues. In addition, the standard of refereeing has been laughable on occasions. I deliberately don't include the tragedy at the beginning of the tournament as it was just that, a tragedy.

I love football and I can't wait for an African World Cup, but it has been hard to take this tournament seriously from day one. I feel patronising just writing this - and I hate that - but I can't easily come to any other conclusion.

To all the post above me, y'all make blind and stupid arguments, of course Europe and the rest of the world is helping African develop the level of their game by involving African players and at the same time African players are part of the excitement in the European leagues. In situation where every African player is asked to go back to their country and play football, what do you think will happen, players going back to their shitty leagues, common people, it's like a marriage between European leagues and African players. So Man U chump for ever take note, we (gunners) are taking the trophy this season.

Interesting blog Piers. I agree that the standard of pitches in Africa seems to be a concern. However, the ones seen in this years Cup of Nations seem to be a vast improvement on those in Ghana 2 years ago. In particular, the pitch in Lubango looks like the best African pitch I have ever seen, although it does seem very greasy which I feel has been to the detriment of some of the more African based teams. For example, having watched Gabon in some of their World Cup qualifying games, I noticed that they like to play long balls over the top and down the wings, and on a typical African pitch, with a longer, rougher cut of turf, the ball will hold up for their pacy wingers to run onto, almost like rugby kicking tactics. This route one tactic served them well in the World Cup qualifiers, yet in the first Cup of Nations group game against Cameroon (despite the excellent 1-0 upset), Gabon struggled with the slick pitch, with long balls virtually impossible to keep in play, whilst the Cameroonian team, filled with players from Europe's elite leagues coped much better with the more 'European' style of turf.

The pitches in Lubango and Benguela are fine, the only problem is that the Final is in Luanda, on a piece of pudding. The goal difference v head-to-head controversy is just silly, FIFA should force all confederations and domestic leagues to work the same way as the World Cup; goal difference should be a rule of football just like offside or handball.

Re#4
I agree with wit you. 'Tis a win-win situation to both parties.

Re#6
Which trophy are u referring to? Women's leagues? You have been winning it countless time. Otherwise stop dreaming, you're merely warming our position. Watch this space in May.

At 03:07am on 21 Jan 2010, diamondronaldinho wrote:
Europe is doing a great favor by involving lots of African players in their leagues,African nations should be more than grateful to the people of the world watching them
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So that i will not be banned from the forum, I will hold to myself what i think of whoever wrote this.

Does anyone think that the AFCON could put clubs off buying african players in the future, seeing as you lose those players for 2 important months every 2 years, so may opt against signing an african in the future.

Group D:
Top 3 level on points and goal difference. Head to Head deadlocked 3-ways so:
All matches against 4th place team (Tunisia) removed.
Leaving Zambia with goals for - 4 and goals against - 4.
Cameroun gf-3 and ga-3
Gabon gf-2 and ga-2.

QF
Zambia vs Nigeria
Egypt vs Cameroun

Am I correct? Surely head to head cannot be used on 3 level teams.

Hmmm interesting topic here. Everybody knows a new pitch cuts up easily. I remember the New Wembley when it was opened. The England and Italy U21 game plyed there was mushy, the pitch cut up. As well as the NFL game that followed, it was almost a mud bath. So the Angolan pitch is called in question just because its in Africa? After all the groundsman is British? Hmmm.

Keita or whatever the name. If you start by comparing Camp Nou to the stadium in Luanda, You should also compare the city of Barcelona to the city of Timbuctu in Mali. You have been living in Africa.

Having lived most of my life in a developing country, I know what Geremy is talking about. There could be a culture shock for players born in Europe of African parents and have chosen to represent the countries of thier parents. The difficulty is probably more than the facilities - some of them struggle with the language, miss out on the jokes etc, but they enrich African football. Who would not have loved for Kanoute to play for them?
Now, CAN, just like the WC has too many teams involved. The number of participating teams should be reduced by one half, at least. Only teams which have 5-6 world calss players should be there really. This tournament should last no more than 2 weeks and provide the best that Africa has to offer in quality. You only need 2 stadia, and these can be in two different countries to ensure that they are fully packed for every match (reduce costs greatly). The employers of these players (thier clubs) will be happy that they can have their employees back as soon as possible. Also, regular qualifiers will be those who develop football, have a functioning league, and therefore deserve to be there. Let's have more quality and make everyone happy.

I'm not too interested in football, but I have been following Zambia's progress because I have strong emotional ties in that country and remember when Sundays were put aside, either to watch Kitwe United, or to listen in to Dennis Liwewe's incomparable commentaries. Congratulations to the team on its progress to the QFs. Good luck from here on in.


One Zambia! ............. One team!............ Goooo, Zambia!

You racist Europeans just make me sick. African problems have always been caused by you guys because of your selfishness just like what I am reading here. Can you please live Africa alone and let's see how you are going to prosper in Europe? For people who have gained so much from Africa, I find it abusive to continue this exploitation in a different way. Now they have to forgo their African competition because of your selfish league games which by the way should have a break in winter like we do in North America. Ask your government to stop protecting those African dictators and you will see a different Africa. This continent is full of resources and that's why your governments can't live them alone. Shame to you selfish Europeans and at list try and respect the one that feeds you of their resources. Just a bit of African Diamond and Gold packed up in your palace can construct a lot of sport facilities in Africa. Stop blaming Africa and blame your politicians who put these dictators in Africa to terrorize their people while they take everything from the country and living the people poor. I know a lot of you won't understand what I'm saying but some of you will understand what I'm saying. We North Americans love our oil from the middle east and we don't hide it but we make sure they have all what they need in life and we even teach them our technology in exchange for their oil. Maybe you should start paying them back for their resources you took for free and they will start building sport infrastructures for their games.

You racist Europeans just make me sick. African problems have always been caused by you guys because of your selfishness just like what I am reading here. Can you please live Africa alone and let's see how you are going to prosper in Europe? For people who have gained so much from Africa, I find it abusive to continue this exploitation in a different way. Now they have to forgo their African competition because of your selfish league games which by the way should have a break in winter like we do in North America. Ask your government to stop protecting those African dictators and you will see a different Africa. This continent is full of resources and that's why your governments can't live them alone. Shame to you selfish Europeans and at list try and respect the one that feeds you of their resources. Just a bit of African Diamond and Gold packed up in your palace can construct a lot of sport facilities in Africa. Stop blaming Africa and blame your politicians who put these dictators in Africa to terrorize their people while they take everything from the country and living the people poor. I know a lot of you won't understand what I'm saying but some of you will understand what I'm saying. We North Americans love our oil from the middle east and we don't hide it but we make sure they have all what they need in life and we even teach them our technology in exchange for their oil. Maybe you should start paying them back for their resources you took for free and they will start building sport infrastructures for their games.
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I am relieved this guy is not African. I was getting increasingly embarrassed until he said he is North American..

Yes I know you are relieved Mr. redskin Joe because you are a coward, but I will continue to talk on behalf of Africa. The best attackers in European soccer leagues we know today are Africans (Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba). The best midfielders in Europe today are (Essiene and Song) not to talk of leagues like the French league where most of the stars are from Africa. Without African, Brazilian and Argentinian players, that your European league you are proud of can't function.

The best attackers in European soccer leagues we know today are Africans (Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba). The best midfielders in Europe today are (Essiene and Song) not to talk of leagues like the French league where most of the stars are from Africa. Without African, Brazilian and Argentinian players, that your European league you are proud of can't function.

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And? What's your point?

Johnny #17
This blog is intended for discussions about the Africa Cup of Nations not bigotted commnets regarding the exploitation of Africa by selfish Europeans. If you knew anything about the subject you would realise that many European nations are heavily involved in assisting the poorer African nations to develop and grow. As a North American I don't think you can really take any pride in your nations conduct in their fair excahnge of technology for oil I think Kuwait and Iran would both dispute your idea of "fair exchange"

Oh dear Johnny (#17 & 19), you start with just a suggestion of a good point and then it all goes a bit wrong doesn't it? I'm in no way anti-American, but to hold up the USA as a paragon of virtue in terms of its influence in developing countries is a little misguided. Your last couple of sentences cross into the realm of being patronising - 'we make sure they have all what they need in life'. Grammar aside, I think they're pretty capable of doing that for themselves without the intervention of the States. The bottom line is that America gets involved in developing nations by and large when it has something to gain from the transaction. Oil, minerals, security etc. Its the same for the majority of developed nations. Get off your high-horse sunshine. I agree that the comment made by #1 (thankfully deleted) was absurd, but lets not tar everybody with the same brush eh?

I am not suggesting for one moment that European influence in Africa has been good over the centuries - indeed, much of it is something that the majority of right-minded Europeans, myself included, are ashamed of. But lets not kid ourselves that the USA hasn't been heavily involved. The slave trade was also known as the 'Triangle Trade' as the ships carrying captured or sold Africans moved between Europe, Africa and.... hmmmm, let me think... America! No-one comes out of horrific episodes in history like this covered in glory but at least in the UK slavery and the incorporation of racial discrimination into the law happened some time before America got round to it.

There are many other arguments to be made, but this is a blog about African football and by and large people have expressed opinions about African football. You may think that as Europeans we should preface every comment we make with 'I must apologise for being a European and for the atrocities committed by our country in the continent of Africa...' but actually, the majority of Africans that I know do not want this. They appreciate an awareness of history and its legacy and a sensitivity towards this, but they want the ACoN to be taken seriously in its own right as a football tournament.

@ 12: your analysis is correct, zambia topped the group on that reckoning. and you can't split 3 teams by head- to-head. but goals scored were only considered AFTER h2h and this is what's unacceptable.

@ 15 fabulousreds: none of the passionate african fans would agree to have the competition cut down to quarter-finals. you should have been in lusaka to see the zambians celebrate last night-the city fair near ran out of beer.

fleetjackhobbs: fellow zambian?

25. At 12:47pm on 22 Jan 2010, AmarantineBlue wrote:
fleetjackhobbs: fellow zambian?

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Nope, Amaranthine. I'm as British as they come, but I worked ten years in Zambia (Kawambwa, Samfya, Kitwe, Lusaka) and my son was born there - at UTH. We celebrate every Zambian success.

As for football, the first game I ever saw was at Mufulira Wanderers' ground, when Samuel "Zoom" Ndhlovu was captain - and captain of Zambia. In Kitwe, a bunch of us went to all the games, or sat round the radio, listening to Dennis Liwewe. - "Zoom" apart, the other man I remember, who could really get the crowd going was Godfrey "Ucar" Chitalu, but the neatest, most compact player I remember was Lloyd Mwila.

If you remember Zambian sport from that time, you may recall the Olympic athlete Beatrice Lungu (Now Beatrice Cains). - I had an e-mail from her just a few days ago. She is well and thriving.

OK - enough of "the socials" - If I were a betting man, I'd put a pound on Zambia to take the trophy! :)

sadly i don't share your optimism, as a jaded zambian fan. i'm old enough to remember the final of 94-i was 11 then and our football's been all downhill since. and i certainly recall old dennis-the best commentator on earth bar none. we'd mute the tv and listen to him on radio while watchin a match. those other names i know by reputation and from old videos. born in kitwe, grew up in lusaka.

definitely british! i noticed you spelled amaranthine correctly-which is more than i can say for myself. sort of went with the spelling on enya's album.

Hahaha! If I got it right, it was by instinct! I should have looked more carefully at how you spell it. Sorry. Isn't an amaranth an unfading flower? - Bit like old Dennis himself, come to think of it! - Anyway, seems you were born in Kitwe after I left it. If you went to Mukuba, I was there before you.. haha. If you then went to UNZA, ditto! - Guess I got you pre-dated.

Best regards. :)

Could someone please explain to me; Zambia and Cameroon finished on the same points, goals for, and goals against in group D, but it was Zambia who finished on top, how is this? If it's a case of head to head, shouldn't Cameroon of finished top since they beat Zambia 3-2? Cheers, a very confused man.

This mini-article highlights just how different conditions are in the football worlds of Europe and Africa.

No European national team will put up with similar training facilities in S. Africa.
It's sad to see such blatant deficiencies, African footballers deserve better, considering the contributions they make to European leagues.

Post 15
"We North Americans love our oil from the middle east and we don't hide it but we make sure they have all what they need in life and we even teach them our technology in exchange for their oil"
HAHAHA
The people you bombed in Iraq, most of them dont even have running water and electricity, nor bridges to cross. You have obviously been watching too much TV! Just for a lark, why dont you get over there and really see what the US has given Iraq for their oil, you will be very surprised.