It is no coincidence that Alex Salmond, the wily and rather combative leader of the SNP, is fighting to hold the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. This, of course, is partly to do with the anniversary of the Battle of Bannock-burn, where the Scots gave the English a bit of a kicking in the First War of Scottish Independence.
But, perhaps even more significantly, it is also about the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a recognition that the patriotism that invariably surrounds great sporting occasions could lend the campaign for secession unstoppable momentum. No wonder David Cameron wants to hold the referendum early.
Few politicians, let alone sports fans, have failed to recognise the curious alchemy of events such as the Commonwealth Games, not to mention the Olympics and World Cup. It is not just the anthem-singing and the flag-waving, but a sense of unity that is conspicuous by its absence at just about any other time in national life – with the possible exception of a royal wedding.
We are divided by religion, by political affiliation, by cultural allegiance and by our attitudes to Simon Cowell but, when David Beckham is charging around against Greece, or Sally Gunnell is leaping around Montjuic, or Tim Henman is getting edgy against Pete Sampras in SW19, we are bound up in a shared national story. Look hard and you can almost see the pages moving.
In this sense the Africa Cup of Nations, which started at the weekend, is perhaps the most important sporting event in the world. Not in terms of the football, of course – although the European club stars who return home to represent their homelands lend stardust to an event that improves in quality with each incarnation – but rather in terms of the politics of identity. As the players of Niger and Libya and Equatorial Guinea cruise around the pitch, you can see history in the making. (more…)
With the African Nations Cup about to kick off this weekend in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, it’s time to put the spotlight on Yaya Touré, the Ivorian international and Man City midfielder. In this part of a longer interview produced by his new endorser — Puma, an expanding commercial force in African football — the best-paid player in the English Premier League reflects on growing up in Ivory Coast, learning the game in Bouake, and then moving to big-time football in Abidjan.
Thanks to Tom McCabe for telling me about this interview.
It’s that time again; the biennial opportunity for Africa’s best national teams to compete for the continental championship, and European club management to complain about the audacity of former colonies holding a tournament smack in the middle of the league season — extracting labor in a reverse flow that might promote some useful self-reflection, if not for the blinders fused on most of the professional football world.
It always good fun to watch the machinations, even from a distance — the actual football starts January 21 in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, and ends with the final on February 12 in Libreville, the capital of co-host Gabon. As in 2010 in Angola, most of us will be watching from a distance: the oil-rich states that CAF has recently favored in its hosting decisions are note easy places to get to. (more…)
Saturday, March 26, 2011, was a day of jubilation in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. The Zebras — Botswana’s national football team –- made history by qualifying for next year’s African Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Zebras boasted an unbeaten record after defeating Tunisia and Togo — teams with World Cup finals experience — and needed three points in N’Djamena against hosts Chad to qualify for the first time for the prestigious biennial tournament. Botswana accomplished this task, amazingly, with two games to spare after beating Chad 1-0 and topping their qualification group with 16 points.
The day of the match between Botswana and Chad was full of excitement in Gaborone. A lot of people wore national football team regalia, while national colors adorned public transport buses and private cars. The mood in the city was electric and expectant such that one would think that the match was being played at the National Stadium in Gaborone.
When the match started, people watched it indoors on Botswana Television while motorists listened to radio commentary in their vehicles. Hundreds of people watched the match live on huge television screens erected in Fair Grounds in the middle of the city, courtesy of Orange — the mobile phone service provider and official sponsor of the national team. When the match started the city was quiet; one could only hear radio and television commentary echoing through the air.
Then in the 54th minute fans exploded in celebration when Botswana’s Jerome Ramatlhakwana scored. After the final whistle, there was euphoria in Gabs. A lot of people came out of their homes jumping and singing, while motorists were honking in all directions. The Botswana Football Association President, Mr. David Fan, pointed out that this qualification was long overdue and it means a lot for football in Botswana. “The people of Botswana have long been waiting for this moment. The fact that we have achieved this feat is a huge cause for celebrations,” said Mr. Fani.
For a country of about 1.8 million people, the historic win in Chad is no random occurrence. After the game, an overjoyed Stan Tshosane, the national team coach, thanked the team for their relentless effort and meticulous preparations. “It’s a culmination of hard work,” said Tshosane; “We knew what we were doing from the onset.”
The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr. Shaw Kgathi, gave a statement in Parliament assuring the Zebras and the country’s football fans that the government of Botswana would continue funding and supporting the preparations for the 2012 African Nations Cup. The victorious Zebras will be given an official welcome reception by the President, Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, on April 8 in Gaborone.
CAF have announced Togo will be disqualified if they do not materialize for the kick off of their fixture against Ghana tonight in Cabinda.
Rumours abound whether Botswana, The Republic of the Congo or Namibia will be invited to do a “Denmark”.
Cabinda’s separatist rebels, FLEC, have apologized for the attack, claiming it was a mistake to attack the Togolese, and have presented their condolences to the families of the deceased.
Pessimists supported by hustlers and vultures from the security and shock industry continue to make fear representations to the press about South Africa’s World Cup.
And it now seems Confusão has rubbed off on the Algerian defence, who are being torn to shreds by Malawi.
The response to the attack on the Togolese team from much of the rabble that constitutes the English Premier League was predictable. The emirs and oligarchs did not say much, leaving it to some of the old fashioned brass merchants to bellow about bringing their players “home”.
Arsène Wenger was not of the same mind.
When asked if he wanted to bring his players back to Britain (where let’s not forget Irish continuity forces still use the occasional bullet and bomb), Wenger was a beacon of sensibility and preferred to express his respect for Africa.
“We won’t be asking Fifa to release them, and I’ll be happy for Eboué to play in Cabinda on Monday,” said Wenger. “I believe it would be disrespectful to Africa and the Africa Nations Cup [to bring them home]. You can’t always encourage Africa to develop and if something happens say ‘come back to Europe’.”
RSS Feed
