Overview of The History of Soccer in Africa

In African Soccerscapes, Peter Alegi gives a summary of the history of soccer in Africa over the last 150 years. Soccer has played a very important role in the development of many African countries. Soccer helped introduce imperialism, and, yet, it was used as a way to reject the European control. Through the introduction of soccer, Alegi shows how the Africans fought for independence, control of soccer, and he shows how capitalism effected the African game. Though many great things came from soccer, Alegi shows some of the negative things that were caused from the game.

In the start of the book, Alegi shows how soccer was introduced into the continent of Africa. Through port cities, railroads, and missionary schools, soccer was able to spread like wild fire through the continent. In port cities, European sailors often played soccer while they were not working. These sports were introduced due to European imperial expansion. They saw soccer as a way to civilize the African peoples. They wanted to teach Africans the virtues Christianity, capitalism, and Western civilization. This became known as the “white man’s burden.” Sports had already been a part of African culture. They had dances and wrestling that were used for many different purposes. However, the European countries saw these as uncivilized acts. These sports became the “soil in which the seeds of sport would be later planted.” Soccer began to spread. Fans often enjoyed going and watching the games that were being played. Railways also played a role in the spread of soccer. These railways were built for the military and for the movement of goods. When a town was built on the railway, often soccer would be introduced. Within a few years, everyone would play soccer within that area. It was often introduced by the military as a form of discipline. Finally, the start of missionary schools spread the game of soccer. Sport was used as moral training. “Muscular Christianity” wanted to make disciplined, healthy, and moral citizens. The whole goal of these schools was to make good citizens that were Christian. Soccer was used to help do this. It was used to help the boys control their tempers and play with honor and fairness. However, the game quickly took off. Many Africans began to play, and new, “African” soccer began. Soccer became a new identity in many neighborhoods. New teams started in local neighborhoods. By the 1930s, club football began, and many great players were recruited to the teams. Many mine companies and government agencies began to hire the best soccer players. They were offered a job just so they would play soccer for that company. The implementation of soccer actually did more than help civilize the Africans. It back-fired on the Europeans. Africans were able to use soccer as a way to resist the control of the colonizers and social inequalities. For example, when one team was forced to change its name due to it being associated to a local resistance, the team just switched the letters around to form a new word. Soccer also became more African. A new form of play began. Africans “Africanized” the game. Magic was used. Witchdoctors and healers were hired to place spells on the teams and opposition. African fans also started rituals in the games. Drums and dances became part of the ceremony. It also became like traditional African rituals. Africans also began to make the game their own. They made new African styles of play, including fancy dribbling and moves. It is evident that soccer was brought to Africa due to Imperialism. However, thanks to this new sport, Africans were able to use it as a way to protest their colonizers. They were also able to make soccer their own sport. It became “Africanized.”

Africans were also able to use soccer as a way to fight for their independence. Nnamdi Azikiwe was a Nigerian, educated man. Zik saw soccer as an opportunity to help gain independence. Zik took Lagos ZAC football club through Nigeria during the war years. ZAC football club would play against the local clubs. After the game was over, Zik would deliver a speech. He claimed that he was raising money for the war. However, he really showed that the British were hypocrites. He showed that they were fighting a war for countries to gain independent, yet they still had control over the colonies. He was able to use soccer as a way to show that Africans deserved their independence and that Britain was wrong for keeping control of the colonies. Like Zik, the FLN used football as a way to fight for independence. They said that they wanted to deny France key players, heighten international awareness of Algerian fight for independence, and that the support of Algerians was key. They FLN made the Algerian national team. This team went to many countries to play soccer. In this time, the FLN hoped that people would see the fight for independence as well as hurt France by denying them key players. By singing a team song, having a national flag, and having jerseys with their logo, people saw a free Algeria. Finally, blacks in South Africa fought for South Africa’s white soccer teams to be expelled from FIFA. They found it unfair that the racists laws could keep them from playing on the white teams. They fought until the board of FIFA expelled the South African teams from participation. Once independence was finally gained, soccer was used as a way to bring nations together. With the addition of new stadiums and teams, countries hoped to bring their nations together. When they were together in a stadium, they were the same. There was no race or ethnicity. They were all just their country and teams’ fans.

Beginning in the 1930s, many players began to leave their local teams and go to Europe to play soccer. Many had success, while other were unable to ever make it big. In this time, it was very good for individual players. Many were able to make large sums of money. However, it hurt the players that were not as good as well as their countries. Small club teams in Europe used Africans as cheap means to make money. They would often buy them for a cheap amount of money and sell them for huge profits. The migration of players also hurt the local African teams. Many players would stay in Europe. They would not return to their country, even during the world cup. This made the local soccer in Africa very weak. Instead of the good players staying and playing for their country, they moved and played for British countries. Like migration, capitalism has played a role in African soccer. With sponsor ship and individual investment, players and clubs were able to make much more money. Ticket prices also went up, meaning that players were able to make money. With the introduction to TV coverage, fans were able to watch the games at home. Instead of spending money to go to local games, fans will go to bars to watch European soccer. This, in turn, hurts the local teams. They local teams stay weak, while the European teams get much more money and coverage. Capitalism also helped by introducing academies. At these academies, young boys are trained up in soccer. However, many of the boys never make it. Only a handful can make it to play in leagues. There are also lots of fake academies. Many critics argue that students should focus on school or jobs instead of football. Since only a few make it, soccer should not be the focus.

It is clear that soccer was brought to Africa as a way to make Africans civilized. Through this game, Africans were able to protest European control and make soccer their own game.

Through capitalism in soccer, the game has changed for good and bad. Many players are offered expensive deals and elites are able to profit off of the clubs. However, with the new academies affect the kids in many ways. These academies make it hard for the kids who do not make it in soccer to succeed. Alegi closes the book with the example of the 2010 world cup. Though it is a great sign that Africa has made it, since it is the first world cup in Africa, it also brings some negative feelings to many. South Africa has spent millions of dollars on renovations for stadiums and building of new stadiums. Though it looks good and makes Africa look much more modern and caught up, many argue that it is wasting money. This money could and should be used on things such as education and health care. Though soccer has helped shape Africa into what it is now, both negatively and positively, Alegi closes the book by saying that the 2010 World Cup shows that Africa will continue to shape the World’s game for many years.