Why Does South America Shun Africa?

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Why Does South America Shun Africa?


Despite ignoring Africa on many occasions, I which and hope CONMEBOL give us a chance to parade our talent in this year’s Copa America. Hugely talented and favourites Argentina hosts this year’s South American football showpiece which is set kickoff on the 1st up to the 24th of June.

Due to the fact that CONMEBOL has only 10 nations registered with FIFA, they invite 2 nations who are registered with FIFA from any other federations. This year’s invitees were set to be Mexico and Japan. Mexico have confirmed that they will send their 2012 Olympic team since their senior team will be competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup which is scheduled to take place as from the 6th of to the 25th of June. To be held in USA, no invitees will feature in this year’s Gold Cup.

Reigning Asian champions Japan have stated that they won’t be able to participate in Argentina because of the tsunami and the earthquake that took place on the 11th of March. Japan’s local league is currently suspended but will be in full swing by the time Copa America takes place.

The news of Japan’s withdrawal wasn’t bad news to me. They need time for their J-League which is currently suspended. Their withdrawal presents Africa with a chance to be selected to compete in Copa America. It presents another chance for CONMEBOL to take a look at African talent, perhaps they will see what we are made of.

I’m baffled by the criteria they use to select their invitees. Tougher opponents from Africa and Europe have never been invited, beside the recent they sent to reigning World and European Champions, Spain. Are they satisfied competing with a junior Mexican side or they are just pleased in helping fellow Americans in their Olympics games preparation? Copa America is the most prestigious trophy in South American football and the winner represents the continent in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Perhaps they don’t want an invitee that will go all the way to win the trophy. Unlike CONCACAF which gave us a chance in inviting the Stuart Baxter coached Bafana Bafana in 2005, CONMEBOL continue to ignore Africa.

Though Japan is currently ranked higher than all African countries, Ghana is just one spot behind them. In the top 50, Africa has 9 countries compared to Asia’s 4. Beside South Korea’s extra-ordinary run that saw them reaching the semifinals on home soil in 2002, Africa has had more impact at the World Cups and the Olympics. We even boast of quality players that can not be compared to the Asian stars. Egypt raised the African flag very high in the confederations Cup, but I’m not saying they are the ones that must be chosen.

So talented is Africa such that the legendary Pele was very impressed but became the prophet of doom when he predicted that an African country would have won the World Cup by the end of last century.

It seems CONMEBOL just wants to add two teams to make them twelve and create 3 groups, so they will continue selecting teams like the Mexican U-23 and those Asian countries that won’t give them any problems in beating. Even though Africa and South America were attached to each other, as some Geographical sources say, South America continue to shun Africa.