One of the most popular sports in the continent of Africa is, without a doubt, football. Football is part of the legacy of the country and is played at all different levels from school and club to internationally. Impressively, African football has helped unite the continent at times, with all different countries coming together across the different cultures, and languages.
However, the arrival of football onto the continent is not necessarily a happy or positive one. Football was introduced by European colonizers in the 1860s. The first football match recorded in Africa was in 1862 and took place in South Africa between civil servants and soldiers. Back then though, there were no rules in the game, and it was simply a game for fun and to boost morale. Things have changed dramatically since then.
From a game with no rules, rules were quickly added, with official regulations and better structure from 1863 onwards. From then, the popularity of the sport spread like wildfire. And by 1882, it had become an official sport with many long-running clubs established in countries like South Africa, Egypt and Algeria.
Football in the 20th Century
Moving into the 20th century, football began to grow. Rather than being for fun and entertainment only, it began to be about rivalries. Countries and nations started taking their games more seriously, pitting their best players against one another in competitions that grew more serious.
Local talents are often showcased, and the groundwork for various competitions was laid. And it’s these competitions that have put African football well and truly on the map in terms of global football. It’s also important to know that this was the era when the sport spread the most. By 1930, it had reached Central Africa highlighting the need for a confederation of some kind.
This became increasingly apparent as young players were often exploited, subject to superstitious practices and so on, as teams looked to gain supernatural advantages on the field. Thus, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was born.
The Arrival of AFCON
With CAF founded in 1957, football began to move forward along more regulated lines. Thanks to a number of key countries including Sudan, South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), came into being. The first AFCON was held in the same year as the founding of CAF, 1957. This competition marked a major turning point for African football.
In recent years, the tournament has showcased the talents of some of the best footballers in the world, as well as encouraging some of the strongest rivalries. Nigeria versus Ghana, Egypt against Algeria and Senegal versus the Ivory Coast are just a few of the major football rivalries within the continent. With more countries interested in participating in the tournament, AFCON grew. Starting with just three nations, it’s now expanded to 24 teams and has qualifying rounds.
As it grew, so did international interest. By the mid 1980s, the tournament was popular on the international stage attracting major investors. But it’s not just outside Africa that is invested. Many African countries have put a lot of money and funding into the football teams with the hope of taking home the AFCON trophy.
Hitting the International Stage
As African football grew, so too did its international reputation. Local players became major stars, signing contracts with large European clubs. Additionally, some of the wealthier African nations petitions and campaigned to host some of the major football events. For example, South Africa strongly campaigned to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Nelson Mandela himself was largely behind this, explaining just how deep and important football was to Africa as a whole. His words and the campaign bore fruit, with South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup, a historical moment as this was the first time this tournament had ever been held on the African continent.
Taking a further look at AFCON, there have been some ups and downs regarding its growth. On the one hand, it’s helped to boost Africa’s football reputation and showcased the huge range of talent coming out of the continent. With international appeal, it’s also now readily available on top local platforms like Bet Malawi, offering a wide range of betting options across African tournaments. However, it’s also been accused of becoming increasingly commercialised.
This has led to some critics complaining that there is less focus on the grassroots aspects of football, those that got African football where it is today in the first place. Nevertheless, there are still huge benefits. AFCON is the place where most European football clubs hunt for the latest talent. Scouts from the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga are always looking for the next superstar player. As such, African football is continuing to grow, both at home and overseas.
From colonial origins to global recognition, African football continues to inspire, evolve, and unite millions across the continent and beyond.