A sad indictment on Africa

Much has been said about the dismal performances by African nations at the just-ended 2018 Fifa World Cup.

None of Africa's five teams made it past the group stages in Russia, with Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco managing only three wins between them.

At every World Cup tournament since 1986, at least one African team has made it to the second round of the World Cup finals. However, this record unceremoniously ended at Russia 2018

And yet, when one looks at Belgium, France and other teams who managed to reach the apex stages of the tournament, players of African descent have ruled the roost at the tournament.

This in itself is a sad indictment on African football authorities.

It was evident that African teams conceded goals either too early or very late. This speaks of inadequate game management skills on the side of the coaches.

It was also clear that most of the African players failed to raise their game to match the levels expected.

But most conclusive is the fact that the teams were outsmarted technically and tactically.

These shortcomings can only be laid at the doors of the management of African football, given that players of African descent in other nations have been able to translate their undeniable talent into making that step up into the higher echelons of world football.

Another theory involves the allocation of places. As a continent, Africa has 48 countries competing to get to the finals, but only five places are available. Here again, the continent has failed to exert its influence on the affairs of Fifa and is still being treated as the stepchild of world soccer.

In fact, soccer mirrors most global activities, where the continent and the nations that inhabit it, are failing to take their rightful place at the table of world nations.