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African World Cup soccer is held back by lack of resources
For more than a decade, Africa World Cup soccer has been on the brink of glory.
For more than a decade, Africa World Cup soccer has been on the brink of glory.
Ever since the indomitable lions of Cameroon shocked defending champs Argentina 1-0 in the opener of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, soccer gurus have been foretelling the coming of an African trophy-holder.
It still hasn't happened. Despite a series of victories in international youth competitions and Olympic soccer, Africa has not had a team go to the world cup semifinals.
Coaches of Africa's youth teams say problems with developing their players for World Cup play are simple and perennial - a lack of money, facilities and resources to keep and nurture young talent. It's a problem of continuity, Burkina Faso under-17 coach Michel Jacques Yameogo said. As soon as they can, our successful young players leave the country for Europe. They leave too young, they go to some not so good teams, sometimes they don't even get playing time.
Bureau Report
It still hasn't happened. Despite a series of victories in international youth competitions and Olympic soccer, Africa has not had a team go to the world cup semifinals.
Coaches of Africa's youth teams say problems with developing their players for World Cup play are simple and perennial - a lack of money, facilities and resources to keep and nurture young talent. It's a problem of continuity, Burkina Faso under-17 coach Michel Jacques Yameogo said. As soon as they can, our successful young players leave the country for Europe. They leave too young, they go to some not so good teams, sometimes they don't even get playing time.
Bureau Report