African soccer has taken some big strides in the past few years, with teams such as Senegal and Ghana making noise in several of the major international tournaments.
Senegal beat France at the 2002 World Cup and went as far as the quarter finals, whereas Ghana defeated both the United States and the Czech Republic on their route to the elimination round of the 2006 World Cup.
It’s no secret, however, that Africa still has a long way to go when it comes to soccer, or football, as they call it.
One of the main reasons for this is the lack of money available to the various football federations. Not all African football federations have limited funds, however. Countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt are almost as well off as some European countries.
South Africa's economy and reputation will be boosted enormously when they play host for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa has also been the setting of numerous pre-season programs for Manchester United, consequently enhancing their financial condition.
Unfortunately, not all African countries are so well off financially.
In a recent World Cup qualifier, Tanzania lost 2-1 to Cameroon in a hard-fought encounter. Samuel Eto’o and the rest of his team, nicknamed the Indomitable Lions, were kept at bay for most of the game, but were eventually able to break through a stubborn and determined Tanzanian defense led by the efforts of defender Nadir Haroub.
Eto’o was so impressed with Haroub’s performance, that the Barcelona star was keen on swapping jerseys with the Tanzanian centre-back at the end of the match.
It’s usually custom for players to exchange jerseys after each match and it only seemed standard for Haroub to accept Eto’o’s jersey and give away his own in the process. After all, most Africans, whether poverty-stricken children, football fanatics, or even professional soccer players admire the two-time African Player of the Year.
The Tanzanian Football Federation was clearly not pleased with Haroub’s gesture, however, and even threatened to fine Haroub in order to cover the cost of replacing his jersey.
Most professional soccer teams, whether club or international, receive a new kit for every game, but the Tanzanian football federation is so poor they cannot even afford to provide their players with new jerseys for each match.
The Tanzanian team’s management claimed players were not permitted to give away jerseys because the federation is unable to meet the price demands of paying for a new jersey after every match.
The incident sparked widespread criticism from the Tanzanian media and public, causing the Tanzanian Football Federation to rescind Nadir Haroub’s punishment.
“It’s obvious he couldn’t say no to Eto’o,” TFF president Leodegar Tenga said.
“It was a wise decision to give his jersey to such a famous player. This will make our country known.”
A fund raising drive was put in motion soon after the match by numerous fans to help Haroub meet the cost of replacing his jersey.
Can you imagine this ever happening in your country?
Unless you’re from Tanzania or another country in Africa, then I highly doubt your international soccer team would ever experience a scenario like this. Soccer players in most countries almost always give away their jersey, whether it’s to one of their opponents or to one of the fans.
This is just one example of why soccer in Africa, despite it being the most popular sport in the entire continent, has a long way to go until it can be on the same level as Europe, Asia, and South and North America.
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3 months ago
This is sad...Haroub is unfortunate..thanks for sharing Jeff.
3 months ago
This echos a much wider issue on how Africa got that way in the first place and how Africa is kept that way.
This goes far beyond sport.
3 months ago
Got to agree, the Federation in Tanzania is probably far from too poor enough to buy new shirts. The issue at hand is probably more likely the corruption/severe misuse of money that sees if heading to completely the wrong places and to the wrong people.
3 months ago
You are right, S, it does go beyond sport. Most of the countries in Africa are considered to be "third world" nations, meaning since their economy is poor, then their football federations are consequentially poor as well.
3 months ago
And Matt, corruption does indeed play a huge part in the financial situation for the Tanzanian football federation. For years countires such as Tanzania, Kenya, etc. have struggled with this problem. The heads of these federations pocket a good chunk of the money, leaving the rest of the federation, and just as significantly, the team without much money.
It's a sad fact.
3 months ago
Sorry lads but if Tanzania don't have the money for footy shirts, think how much they have for health and education. A smaller picture which painfully highlights the bigger one.
3 months ago
This is certainly a sad story, but not too uncommon in those parts. African nations are not well off and this problem goes beyond football as well. Haroub was right in what he did - the Tanzanian FA should be ashamed of themselves for asking him to pay for his own shirt - that's just disgraceful.
3 months ago
This is very sad and its an ongoing problem. I agree with Marc, imagine how it must be to find funds for health and food! I hope things change eventually. This was an insightful article Jeff.
3 months ago
I'd like to know which company Tanzania buys its shirts from as it's a disgrace they have to pay. Famous manufacturers provide kit for many countries for free or pay clubs to be the kit maker. It's a shambles.
Don't think corruption is any less in Nigeria or South Africa (both still third world countries)
from 3 months ago
I completely agree that their kit maker should provide them for free or pay them, especially since they are an African federation. It's no secret that it's probably the poorest continent on earth, and in most countries, neither the teams, player, managers, or anyone can cover the cost of new kits for even every year. The main problem for this is probably that most of these countries are not good enough in competitions for makers to fully justify, in their minds at least, giving these countries the same benefits as UEFA teams.
from 3 months ago
If you think what it costs for Adidas or Nike etc to make an 18 top kit....it's peanuts! sad really.
3 months ago
Unfortunately chaps, nothing too bright looms on the African front. Food prices continue to skyrocket mimicking increasing oil prices, drought is becoming more pervasive mimicking global warming, and the African Union seems unable to do anything about tyrants like Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Sport falls a distant second (third, fourth, hundredth?) to survival, which is not an easy proposition in many African nations.
3 months ago
Monetarily speaking it may be known as the poorest continent on earth, however in terms of resources it is one of the most abundant. Tanzania in particular is resource rich in terms of the African continent with large amounts of gold and diamonds. Tourism is also a substantial resource. the GDP per capita is $1,100, which may not seem much by western terms is actually not too bad. While I agree that this was a relevant issue I think the problem with football in Tanzania and its inability to buy shirts is more too do with what Matt said about mis-management of funds and corruption. The country strictly speaking is not 'poor'. It seems the hangover from their socialist past has not quite cleared with issues such as this popping up due to muddled priorities. I think in several nations around the globe, which may struggle in financial terms, the administration is a lot more robust in terms of freeing up cash and sponsorship (Andrew mentioned the deals many nations have with kit manufacturers, just one example of this) deals for their national football team. This issue for nations like these comes back to the importance of maintaining a good level of morale within the nation and a well-kitted out and well-performing football side can definitely provide a morale boost. Perhaps if certain public officials started doing their jobs properly and curbed the extent of their lifestyles the Tanzanian football team could have it a lot easier and be able to swap the odd shirt.
3 months ago
im not sure about what you mean by" This is just one example of why soccer in Africa, despite it being the most popular sport in the entire continent, has a long way to go until it can be on the same level as Europe, Asia, and South and North America."
the african teams consistently outperform teams from all these countries at the world cup seemingly on a shoestring. i think that says a lot for the level their football is at.
2 months ago
Thanks everyone for the comments. I'd like to reiterate the point that one of the reasons for Tanzanian soccer being so poor, and the entire country itself actually, is because of corruption. Leaders in the government and in the Tanzanian Football Federation do not evenly distribute funds and often use it for themselves. The football federation, and more importantly, the country itself suffers as a result of this.
2 months ago
I understand your point, Illya. But there's actually only two african countries that fall into the top 25 in Fifa's World Rankings (Cameroon and Ghana). Cameroon is somehow as high as 13th, 17 places ahead of the United States and two places above England.
2 months ago
I made a mistake in my last comment. Egypt is actually ranked 24th, meaning there are 3 African countires in the top 25 in Fifa's World Rankings. But I don't think Africa is on the same level as other countries in other continents. I don't know whats the furthest an African country has gone in the World Cup, but I don't think it's been past the quarter-finals. Don't get me wrong though, there is so much talent here in AFrica. Just the other day Ferdinand was talking about the incredible talent in Nigeria. It just needs a lot of developing I think and unfortunately there isn't enough money in these countries to aid that development. That's just my view though.
Looking at the much bigger picture, however, it has to do with much more than just soccer. It's about the economy being poor as well. Living in Africa has definitely widened my perspective on all of these issues.
2 months ago
football is not the ultimate.If food, education, health and other basic necessities could be provided at the expense of football then i have no reason to blame the Tanzanian government.Priorities count a lot.Even the Eto offering his jersey, i doubt how many cameroonians have sufficient means to educate their children.Football should not be the priority of Africa but good governance void of the dictators and quasi dictators like Mugabe, Omar Bongo,Idriss of Chad, Biya of Cameroon etc.With the good governance every other thing will follow including the jerseys.
2 months ago
A sad and sorry state of affairs. African nations especially those such as Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ghana etc., face a shortage of food, clothing and basic necessities. Ethiopia has a great airport in Addis Ababa while it's people starve just so that foreign dignataries can visit. I remember when Chima Okerie, the Nigerian footballer was signed on for one of the Calcutta clubs in India. He was happy here. African football needs sponsorship and angels to bring it out of Africa. There are some naturally talented players in Africa.
2 months ago
Always was a big fan of African football - thanks for writing this article
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