Further turmoil for the Football Associations of Africa’s World Cup Heroes

 

Much has been written about the turmoil surrounding Africa’s teams in the World Cup focusing on player bonus payments, corrupt administrators and indiscipline. The two African teams widely seen as faring the best of all the African nations involved, both on and off the field, were Nigeria and Algeria. Despite this success, both countries Football Associations have found themselves locked in controversy since the World Cup, which saw both teams qualify for the round of 16. 

In Algeria, football has been suspended indefinitely following the death of Cameroonian player Albert Ebosse, who was hit by a stone thrown by fans after his side JS Kabylie's home defeat by USM Alger in Tizi Ouzou in August. It is believed that the stadium in which the attack took place was under maintenance at the time of the game and fans threw loose stones that were lying on the ground. The question needs to be asked why the venue was used when construction works were still in progress.

Algeria's football federation made a statement stating it had postponed the league "in protest at the irresponsible actions of certain fanatics and hooligans who resort to violence in the stadiums which has reached an unacceptable level". 

An investigation into Ebosse's death, and a deeper inquiry into football hooliganism in the country, has also been ordered by the Algerian interior ministry. This comes as a major blow to the Algerian F.A. who have benefited from the positivity generated by the performance of their team in the World Cup and their much heralded support for the Palestinian people.

Nigeria's football championship has also been suspended indefinitely because of a referees' strike in protest at the crisis surrounding the leadership of the countries Football Association. Referees have taken strike action following a controversial Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) ‘election’ on Tuesday, which has split the governing body. The Nigeria players' union and top club managers have also joined the boycott of the Nigerian league.

Outgoing NFF president Aminu Maigari was to preside over a scheduled meeting to design a road map for elections to the NFF executive committee. But Maigari, along with the secretary of the organisation Musa Amadu, was unable to attend because he was detained for "general questioning" by the Department of State Security. In his absence Chris Giwa was elected NFF president by a group of members backed by the country's Ministry of Sport. 

This situation contravenes a directive by football's world governing body FIFA, who said a in a letter to the NFF last week that it must decide on a new date for "an electoral process that is free and open to everybody". The developments have resulted in a situation where Nigeria is in danger of being suspended from world football for government interference. 

The disputes within the NFF have already led to a Fifa intervention, international suspension and the enforced return – twice – of Maigari. Another ban could affect Nigeria's 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa early next month. 

In addition to the deep divisions in the NFF, the Super Eagles are still without a permanent coach after Stephen Keshi's contract was not renewed after the World Cup.  He has agreed only to take temporary charge of the team for their two upcoming Nations Cup qualifiers, having grown impatient with negotiations over a new deal.

Football is an incredibly popular sport in both countries like it is throughout the continent but this is another example of how administrators and governments are failing the people they claim to act on behalf of.