African Football Discussion Thread {Male & Female} Current Topic: 👉 WAFCON

[MainIbem]

It should definitely be Nigeria. The Super Eagles might not be at their best now, but Nigeria has the highest number of professional players in Africa. If you take a headcount of African players who play abroad, you might ascertain that Nigeria has the highest population.  Maybe the high population of the country contributed to this fact. Just like Brazil, Nigeria can boast of more football talent in Africa.

Another indicator of a football nation is the popularity of the sport at the grassroots. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and it is played by children in almost all the nooks and crannies of the country.

I support your choice, it's not because Nigeria is my home country but it's a fact, asides having the highest number of African players spread across different European leagues and other leagues too, Nigeria has produced a very good number of African best players if not the most so if they were not that good, they won't have been achieving that the most. Truth be told we have lots of talents that are yet to be discovered if only our government can look into our football sector, rebrand the national league then build more stadiums, make it more interesting and entertaining to watch, an average Nigerian male is lover of football but most folks who got talent don't pick interest to play cause we lack good amenities and facilities.

[SuperBitMan]

Well I don't know how some of you guys will take this, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. This thoughts that Africa team tried in the FIFA Club world cup is really not sitting well with me. I don't see any trying they did there, It's a complete disaster that no team qualified from the group stage. Not even a team made it out, I wonder the kind of football that these African teams are playing. It's so disappointing and we need to let these teams know that they have disappointed us, instead of making them feel like they have done something good. A continent as big as Africa couldn't have one team qualified it's really bad if you ask me.

Yes you are right we shouldn't be praising them because I see no reason why we should praise them they are not doing well and I really don't know what the problem is however I will still blame bad government as the cause of the problem, if we have a good government they will look into sport and build beautiful stadiums and also make sure there's security so people can be coming to watch match, if you see the Europeans there government support sport and that is why they are doing well people come to watch without fear of insecurity and they have beautiful stadiums.
Here in Africa most of the countries are having security issues and for that reason a lot of this matches played are not watched by fans and we know very well that fans are one of the things that makes players play very well most times, and again this footballs in this African teams are not paid very well so they mostly do other jobs just to survive and keep up with there families there by dividing there attention in football, to be honest African has a long way to go when it comes to football.

[Sexylizzy2813]

I know it was not only Borussia Dortmund that had a busy schedule. All the European clubs in the Club World Cup had busy schedules; that is why they are not performing the way they are supposed to perform, and the busy schedule affected Atlético Madrid and FC Porto, preventing them from proceeding to the next stage of the Club World Cup tournament. Even though Borussia Dortmund didn't win anything to show that they had a busy schedule, that is not enough reason for you to deny the fact that Borussia Dortmund had a busy schedule.

No way, please and please don't include Atletico Madrid in this, like haven't you seen how terrible they have been in the last 3-4 seasons? These guys can't improve and keep improving, instead they'd prefer to give us a one season wonder and the next season they go back to default settings. Atletico Madrid are not going to be at any best form as long as they are still having that mentality of always defending and defending, if I can take the excuses of other European clubs that they had a busy schedule last season I can't accept ATM, they can be busy and still performing badly and is good to see them being eliminated.

It is not that Atlético Madrid is not performing well, but I want you to know that since Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are playing in the same league, it will be difficult for people to know that Atlético Madrid is performing well because either Real Madrid's or Barcelona's performance will always surpass Atlético Madrid's performance in La Liga, and if not for Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid could have won 2-3 UEFA Champions League trophies, and last I checked, Atlético Madrid finished in 3rd position this season in La Liga behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, so I don't know where you got the impression that Atlético Madrid's performance has been terrible in the last 3-4 seasons..

If you want to be the best you have to beat the best hope you remember that?

I hope you know before you beat the best, you have to build yourself to the level where you can compete with the best so that you will have the chance to beat the best. In the case of Atlético Madrid beating Real Madrid and Barcelona to dominate La Liga, it won't be achievable because Barcelona and Real Madrid have more money than Atlético Madrid to sign quality players. So it will be difficult for Atlético Madrid to beat Real Madrid and for Barcelona to dominate La Liga.

Do you know how long has the manager Diego Simone being coaching Atletico Madrid? He has been with this club for 13 years and from the calculations December 23rd 2011 when he joined will make it 14 years so let's say he has been with the club for good 14 years since he joined the club December 23rd 2011, isn't that too long for these guys to be up to standard or to get this team up to speed? I still have to talk about their style of play which means the coach is not trying anything new and that's why the club is not improving at all, let me ask you is 14 years not enough to change the performance of a club that you feel can't compete with the likes of Barcelona and Madrid? La Liga is that challenging any more, like before we have like 6 clubs struggling to get their hands on the title and you'd feel the pressure on Madrid and Barcelona because every team sees them as the target but now where are those clubs? Nowhere to be found, like Valencia almost got relegated so get what I'm pointing at.
Forget about the money aspect because if you check the players they have I can tell you for free that they can make Barcelona and Madrid feel the heat whenever they play so don't say is because of money and when Barcelona are complaining of financial problem I haven't heard of ATM complaining so what are you not saying. The clubs is not showing signs of dominance for these two clubs (Madrid and Barcelona) you call the best to fear them.

[Agbe]

Well I don't know how some of you guys will take this, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. This thoughts that Africa team tried in the FIFA Club world cup is really not sitting well with me. I don't see any trying they did there, It's a complete disaster that no team qualified from the group stage. Not even a team made it out, I wonder the kind of football that these African teams are playing. It's so disappointing and we need to let these teams know that they have disappointed us, instead of making them feel like they have done something good. A continent as big as Africa couldn't have one team qualified it's really bad if you ask me.

Yes you are right we shouldn't be praising them because I see no reason why we should praise them they are not doing well and I really don't know what the problem is however I will still blame bad government as the cause of the problem, if we have a good government they will look into sport and build beautiful stadiums and also make sure there's security so people can be coming to watch match, if you see the Europeans there government support sport and that is why they are doing well people come to watch without fear of insecurity and they have beautiful stadiums.
Here in Africa most of the countries are having security issues and for that reason a lot of this matches played are not watched by fans and we know very well that fans are one of the things that makes players play very well most times, and again this footballs in this African teams are not paid very well so they mostly do other jobs just to survive and keep up with there families there by dividing there attention in football, to be honest African has a long way to go when it comes to football.

The reason why African the football is not growing is that we have not taken sports football in particular as a business until we take football as a business our football will not grow because when you take football as a business you take it seriously and start investing into it which includes good media coverage, football infrastructure and even players welfare

[Sexylizzy2813]

The reason why African the football is not growing is that we have not taken sports football in particular as a business until we take football as a business our football will not grow because when you take football as a business you take it seriously and start investing into it which includes good media coverage, football infrastructure and even players welfare

I agree with you in this and we some how have to blame some of these big companies and these businessmen we have especially in our country Nigeria. For me I won't like politicians to act as sponsors in as much as they have enough money to help out the league because they will still have their way to do dirty politics in football. Sometimes we should also look at the safety of the league and everything in it, when you talk about politics, is among the problem why African league are the way it is now, lack of commitment and CAF need to do something about some of the problems both players coaches and even the officials are facing in every African league.

[Rruchi man]

Can I ask a question? This should spark up an important discussion. Which African country do you think should have the best football teams?
People tag Brazil as a football nation, tag England as a football nation, etc. Which African country should carry that tag as a football nation?

It is really hard to pick one, and to do so, you have to look at a few factors. If we consider the African team that has won the most African Cup of Nations, then that is Egypt, they have won it 7 times, if we consider the African team that has gone furthest in a World Cup, then that is Morocco, who reached the Semi-Final of the last World Cup, if we consider the African country with the strongest club league, then it is definitely the Egyptian league.

That said, if i am to pick a country, i'd say Egypt, based on what they have achieved, winning the AFCON so many times, and they also have successful football clubs like Al Ahly and Zamalek

It should definitely be Nigeria. The Super Eagles might not be at their best now, but Nigeria has the highest number of professional players in Africa. If you take a headcount of African players who play abroad, you might ascertain that Nigeria has the highest population.  Maybe the high population of the country contributed to this fact. Just like Brazil, Nigeria can boast of more football talent in Africa.

Another indicator of a football nation is the popularity of the sport at the grassroots. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and it is played by children in almost all the nooks and crannies of the country.

Good reasons, I must say. Although I am expecting more answers to this question, it cannot just be Egypt and Nigeria based on people's opinions.

How about South Africa? Ghana? Ivory Coast? They have a decnt football record too.

[GiftedMAN]

Well I don't know how some of you guys will take this, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. This thoughts that Africa team tried in the FIFA Club world cup is really not sitting well with me. I don't see any trying they did there, It's a complete disaster that no team qualified from the group stage. Not even a team made it out, I wonder the kind of football that these African teams are playing. It's so disappointing and we need to let these teams know that they have disappointed us, instead of making them feel like they have done something good. A continent as big as Africa couldn't have one team qualified it's really bad if you ask me.

Yes you are right we shouldn't be praising them because I see no reason why we should praise them they are not doing well and I really don't know what the problem is however I will still blame bad government as the cause of the problem, if we have a good government they will look into sport and build beautiful stadiums and also make sure there's security so people can be coming to watch match, if you see the Europeans there government support sport and that is why they are doing well people come to watch without fear of insecurity and they have beautiful stadiums.
Here in Africa most of the countries are having security issues and for that reason a lot of this matches played are not watched by fans and we know very well that fans are one of the things that makes players play very well most times, and again this footballs in this African teams are not paid very well so they mostly do other jobs just to survive and keep up with there families there by dividing there attention in football, to be honest African has a long way to go when it comes to football.

The reason why African the football is not growing is that we have not taken sports football in particular as a business until we take football as a business our football will not grow because when you take football as a business you take it seriously and start investing into it which includes good media coverage, football infrastructure and even players welfare

Football is the fastest growing and the most recognized sports in Africa the level of sponsorship we get in football can not be compared to other sports though we still need a lot of investors in football but I think Africans has woken up they no longer take football as a joke just like they used to do before.

More works still need to be done and a football academy should be developed in all the African teams and the government of each state should sponsor and fund the activities of each team so that football will be well known in Africa.

[SatoPrincess]

Just recently, one of Nigeria's top track and field female athletes signed her allegiance to Turkey(don't know if this confirmed yet) but it boils down to the same issue of funding and the "anyhowness" that is characteristics of what we have over here.

I believe the athlete you’re referring to is no other than Favour Ofili. It is confirmed that she has made the switch to Turkey. It’s not surprising and you cannot blame her considering all that the Nigerian federation has put her through. Favour Ofili was ruled out of Tokyo 2020 because the Nigerian federation failed to ensure they met the minimum drug-testing requirements for 10 of its athletes. And in the 2024 Olympics, Ofili was unable to participate in the 100 meter event due to an “error” made by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

[Mayor of ogba]

The Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense game is the only African game I watched in the Club World Cup tournament, and from the way Mamelodi Sundowns performed against Fluminense yesterday, I agree that Mamelodi Sundowns performed way better than the other African clubs that played in the Club World Cup, but it is so unfortunate that Mamelodi Sundowns couldn't make use of the opportunities they had against Fluminense to move to the next round of the Club World Cup and make Africa proud.

I felt sad after watching the game yesterday. Hard luck was befall Mamelodi Sundowns, because they created opportunities, all refuse to enter the back of the net. With what I have seen from the African side in this competition, they deserve the respect from all Africans.

In the next FIFA Club World Cup competition, I would love to see them play again and this time better than the last. Goodluck to them as they return to Africa soon.

No doubt Mamelodi Sundowns created a lot of opportunities just to make sure they scored a goal and beat Fluminense so they would qualify for the knockout phase of the Club World Cup tournament, but their finishing was so poor, and that's why they couldn't score a single goal against Fluminense. With the seriousness Mamelodi Sundowns showed in the first half, I believed they would beat Fluminense in the second half, and I played Mamelodi Sundowns to win against Fluminense in live betting, but they failed to beat Fluminense and disappointed me.

[Davidvictorson]

It’s not surprising and you cannot blame her considering all that the Nigerian federation has put her through. Favour Ofili was ruled out of Tokyo 2020 because the Nigerian federation failed to ensure they met the minimum drug-testing requirements for 10 of its athletes. And in the 2024 Olympics, Ofili was unable to participate in the 100 meter event due to an “error” made by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Yes, if I were a Favor, I would have left ever since 2 years. In my estimation she even took a lot of time. Athletes want to grow and live in mark in their sports but it seems that the athletics federation of Nigeria is the weapon fashion against her and she just has two move to a place where she can thrive and will be well respected. And this is not me being unpatriotic but being real, and telling every other athletes out there who feels the same way to move out to a place where they will thrive.

[SatoPrincess]

Borussia Dortmund players have been active playing football since last year, and they have not had enough rest after their league ended, and they start playing in the Club World Cup tournament, so it's normal that Borussia Dortmund won't perform well in the Club World Cup tournament because Borussia Dortmund players are tired and they need to rest. Yes, Mamelodi Sundowns tried their best and dominated Fluminense yesterday, and since Mamelodi Sundowns couldn't score a goal in the first half, I still had confidence that Mamelodi Sundowns would score a goal in the second half because of how they took total control of the match, but I was heartbroken when Mamelodi Sundowns couldn't break the deadlock in the second half, which made them not qualify for the knockout phase of the Club World Cup tournament.

Borussia Dortmund have not performed badly despite the challenges infact they have been impressive so far, topping their group table. It’s quite unfortunate that Mamelodi Sundowns couldn’t get a win in their last game to advance and have been eliminated while Fluminence and Borussia Dortmund move to knockout stage.

[Justbillywitt]

Edith out

Edith out

The reason why African the football is not growing is that we have not taken sports football in particular as a business until we take football as a business our football will not grow because when you take football as a business you take it seriously and start investing into it which includes good media coverage, football infrastructure and even players welfare

Anyhow we look at it I believe football club owners alone cannot achieve all these on their own without the government involvement in it. Football club owners can only do to some extent, because nobody will like to keep investing in business that you ain't benefiting. One thing I feel is hindering football from growing in this part of the world, is our transportation system, and this is the area that the government needs to come in. Most of the football matches are played in the urban areas and the cost of transportation to these venues are high. No good roads, the rail line are not working. How many fans will be willing to go support their team playing at away when the journey will take you like 2-3 days on the road before arriving there ? So It's more than just club owners treating it as business that is causing the problems. The government has to actively get involved by developing the country first, by providing most of the social amenities that will make football clubs ownership a viable business in the country or continent.

[Mayor of ogba]

Borussia Dortmund players have been active playing football since last year, and they have not had enough rest after their league ended, and they start playing in the Club World Cup tournament, so it's normal that Borussia Dortmund won't perform well in the Club World Cup tournament because Borussia Dortmund players are tired and they need to rest. Yes, Mamelodi Sundowns tried their best and dominated Fluminense yesterday, and since Mamelodi Sundowns couldn't score a goal in the first half, I still had confidence that Mamelodi Sundowns would score a goal in the second half because of how they took total control of the match, but I was heartbroken when Mamelodi Sundowns couldn't break the deadlock in the second half, which made them not qualify for the knockout phase of the Club World Cup tournament.

Borussia Dortmund have not performed badly despite the challenges infact they have been impressive so far, topping their group table. It’s quite unfortunate that Mamelodi Sundowns couldn’t get a win in their last game to advance and have been eliminated while Fluminence and Borussia Dortmund move to knockout stage.

Borussia Dortmund's performance is okay in my own opinion, but since Borussia Dortmund failed to score so many goals against their opponents in the Club World Cup, that is why some people believed Borussia Dortmund didn't perform well in the Club World Cup. Mamelodi Sundowns was our only hope for one African team to make it to the knockout phase of the Club World Cup, but it is unfortunate Mamelodi Sundowns let everyone down.

[Spaceman1000$]

It should definitely be Nigeria. The Super Eagles might not be at their best now, but Nigeria has the highest number of professional players in Africa. If you take a headcount of African players who play abroad, you might ascertain that Nigeria has the highest population.  Maybe the high population of the country contributed to this fact. Just like Brazil, Nigeria can boast of more football talent in Africa.

Another indicator of a football nation is the popularity of the sport at the grassroots. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and it is played by children in almost all the nooks and crannies of the country.

I support your choice, it's not because Nigeria is my home country but it's a fact, asides having the highest number of African players spread across different European leagues and other leagues too, Nigeria has produced a very good number of African best players if not the most so if they were not that good, they won't have been achieving that the most. Truth be told we have lots of talents that are yet to be discovered if only our government can look into our football sector, rebrand the national league then build more stadiums, make it more interesting and entertaining to watch, an average Nigerian male is lover of football but most folks who got talent don't pick interest to play cause we lack good amenities and facilities.

In those days for some of us that grew up in port Harcourt, we grew up watching sharks FC, dolphins FC, ocean boys and the rest of them at Port Harcourt township stadium. We saw local based player driving good cars and doing very well for themselves, most children in port Harcourt township then wanted to play football because of the glory we saw from those guys. Lots of private investigators helped to sponsor some of this teams with huge capital. But today, the economy has nose dived and private investigators are not interested in investing 1kobo into local clubs because they won't get a return of their investment, people don't even buy tickets as much as possible to go watch football games anymore despite this huge population we have.

Rebranding the Nigerian football in Club side level is a lot of work to do, people need to see real changes, players should paid adequately as much as they could compete with other counterparts in different part of the world, we should build new stadiums and there should be huge promotion of the local leagues so that it can be attractive.

[Coyster]

Good reasons, I must say. Although I am expecting more answers to this question, it cannot just be Egypt and Nigeria based on people's opinions.

How about South Africa? Ghana? Ivory Coast? They have a decnt football record too.

Like i already said, it is hard to pick one and it is a subjective choice. If we take a look at the countries you mentioned, they are very good footballing countries. Ghana has won the AFCON 4 times, even more times than Nigeria and they have reached the Quarter Final of the World cup, Ivory Coast has won it twice, whilst South Africa has won it once and also hosted a World Cup.

That said, if we are talking about the best African football team, based on achievements in the continent, it is definitely Egypt, there is no doubt about that. Look at what they have achieved, both in their national team and at club level, Al Ahly has won the CAF champions league a staggering 12 times, no other club even comes close.

[Rockstarguy]

Can I ask a question? This should spark up an important discussion. Which African country do you think should have the best football teams?

People tag Brazil as a football nation, tag England as a football nation, etc. Which African country should carry that tag as a football nation?

It should definitely be Nigeria. The Super Eagles might not be at their best now, but Nigeria has the highest number of professional players in Africa. If you take a headcount of African players who play abroad, you might ascertain that Nigeria has the highest population.  Maybe the high population of the country contributed to this fact. Just like Brazil, Nigeria can boast of more football talent in Africa.

Another indicator of a football nation is the popularity of the sport at the grassroots. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and it is played by children in almost all the nooks and crannies of the country.

When it comes to talent, there is no doubt Nigeria has it, and the talent Nigerian players have is taking them far in football even without good football structures and sponsors like those in European countries. In Africa, Nigeria is supposed to be the center of football if the government were ready to invest and foster better development. I'm well familiar with Nigeria; it is a place where every open space and street is a venue for people to play football. The problem they have is the lack of government support and development in sports, especially in football.

[SatoPrincess]

Well I don't know how some of you guys will take this, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. This thoughts that Africa team tried in the FIFA Club world cup is really not sitting well with me. I don't see any trying they did there, It's a complete disaster that no team qualified from the group stage. Not even a team made it out, I wonder the kind of football that these African teams are playing. It's so disappointing and we need to let these teams know that they have disappointed us, instead of making them feel like they have done something good. A continent as big as Africa couldn't have one team qualified it's really bad if you ask me.

When I first saw the list of clubs to play in the club world cup I expected the African clubs to find it so hard to win games but so far they impressed me by not just winning games but also playing and giving their opponents tough time even in games they lost.

[Salahmu]

When it comes to talent, there is no doubt Nigeria has it, and the talent Nigerian players have is taking them far in football even without good football structures and sponsors like those in European countries. In Africa, Nigeria is supposed to be the center of football if the government were ready to invest and foster better development. I'm well familiar with Nigeria; it is a place where every open space and street is a venue for people to play football. The problem they have is the lack of government support and development in sports, especially in football.

We do not just have talent but players who can manage no matter how hard it is for them, why i said management is that alot of people who knows players that started there journey from the rural environment will understand what they went through building themselves because if there was no determination they would have been won by the hardship that affected them, actually this thing is not only for those who are still pushing to be known but this situation was what some players representing on the national team has sometimes at there early football gone through, so perhaps this is mostly why Nigeria is growing popular because of the defeated poor foundation.

[SatoPrincess]

Can I ask a question? This should spark up an important discussion. Which African country do you think should have the best football teams?

In my opinion South Africa is the African country with the best stable and standard league. I might be wrong because I am not exposed to many other African leagues become of their exposure so for me it is South Africa.

People tag Brazil as a football nation, tag England as a football nation, etc. Which African country should carry that tag as a football nation?

It’s hard to pick one but I know Nigeria is one of the “football nations” in Africa.

[Kelward]

Well I don't know how some of you guys will take this, but we have to tell ourselves the truth. This thoughts that Africa team tried in the FIFA Club world cup is really not sitting well with me. I don't see any trying they did there, It's a complete disaster that no team qualified from the group stage. Not even a team made it out, I wonder the kind of football that these African teams are playing. It's so disappointing and we need to let these teams know that they have disappointed us, instead of making them feel like they have done something good. A continent as big as Africa couldn't have one team qualified it's really bad if you ask me.

When I first saw the list of clubs to play in the club world cup I expected the African clubs to find it so hard to win games but so far they impressed me by not just winning games but also playing and giving their opponents tough time even in games they lost.

We need to give African teams time, I believe that they can only get better with time, you need to remember that our leagues are not as fancy and lucrative like the European leagues. In any tournament no matter how good all the teams or clubs are half of them must be eliminated before going into the next round. In the end it is only four teams that will reach semi final and the winner can emerge through penalty shootout so luck also contributes to winning. Compared to the ratings of African teams I think that they were quite impressive in this club world cup, hopefully they will qualify past the group stages in the next competition.