Sports
Olympic Football: Poor Preparations Cost Africa In London
If anything is to be re-learnt from the continent’s
chequered performance at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, it remains
an uncomfortable, sobering, truth – that talent is no substitute for meticulous
long-term planning.
And Africa certainly has talent, as it has repeatedly proven
over the years.
“African football, certainly, does not lack the talent to
win, but its administrators must learn that they must plan,” Fifa president
Sepp Blatter has said while discussing the disappointing state of the African
game.
“Other countries and continents take time to plan, and to
strategise for success. African football must do the same.”
From the golden glory of Nigeria and Cameroon in 1996 and
2000, respectively, and then Nigeria’s silver at the Beijing Games four years
ago, to 2012, when no African side
reached the last four of either the men’s or women’s events.
Of the six teams that represented the continent in the men’s
and women’s tournaments, only Senegal, who defeated Uruguay 2-0, and Egypt, in
beating Belarus 3-1, managed to get wins in London.
Gabon and Morocco crashed out of the men’s tournament after
the group stages, as did Cameroon and South Africa in the women’s event.
Of course, the general statistics mask the rather
humiliating performances by the Indomitable Lionesses and Banyana Banyana,
whose Olympic debuts leave them with full plates of food for thought.
Cameroon’s comprehensive losses to Brazil (0-5), Great
Britain (0-3) and New Zealand (1-3) respectively, and South Africa’s losses to
Sweden and Canada, scoring once while conceding seven, expose the huge gap the African women’s game
has to close.
One of the few highlights for the ladies was South Africa’s
surprisingly-respectable 0-0 draw against Japan, the reigning women’s world
champions.
“Our overall performance at this tournament is a clear indication that African football still has a lot of catching up to do,” says Aliou Cisse, the 2002 World Cup defender who now works as Assistant Coach of Senegal’s Olympic team.
“If we want success, then we have to plan for it and work
very hard for it. That takes time and a lot of effort. There are no shortcuts.”
But as Gabon coach Claude Mbourounot bluntly observes,
following his team’s first-round exit, those running African football at the
national association and continental levels need to take a good look in the
mirror.
“African football suffers from a lack of organisation and
structure. We need to be organised,” he said.
“We (those responsible for coaching and managing teams) are
often frustrated by people and institutions that do not understand our
administrative and technical needs.”
And as obvious as the administrative deficiencies in the African
men’s game are, the womens’ game suffers from an even worse lack of financial
attention and proper technical support.
None of the two teams that represented the continent has a
functioning women’s league, as is the case in most African countries.
“In Africa, there are several people that even question the
rationale for supporting women’s football,” says a visibly angry Lydia Nsekera,
president of the Burundi Football Federation and the first woman in the
108-year history of Fifa to sit on the world governing body’s executive
committee.
“It is clear that without regular league competition for our
women throughout the continent, there is no way our national teams will be able
to effectively compete at tournaments like the Olympics.”
Obayiuwana writes for BBC sport
After the disappointing performance of Africa at the 2010
World Cup in South Africa, where only Ghana’s Black Stars made it to the
knock-out stages of the competition, the Olympic failures serve as another
timely reminder to the continent’s administrative chiefs – reminding them that
preparations off the pitch, as well as on it, are the only way the continent
will conquer the mountaintop.
Obayinwana writes for BBC Sport
Osasu Obayiuwana
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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