NEWS
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FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #7 African Exodus to China
In 2018 Africans found a new home abroad, that has been in China. The 1.3 billion people of the People’s Republic of China were absolutely welcome to some of the biggest names in African football on both the men and women’s side.
At FirstTouch, we have a saying that goes like, “a year is never over until we close it.” In the spirit of that ideal, we took our time to look back at the ten most defining moments of 2018, as far as African football is concerned. Could you guess what they are? Number 7 is here.
Things change everywhere and every time, not least so in football. The year 2018 witnessed a big shift in terms of the preferred destination for African stars.
“There is something about playing in front of a 60,000 crowd who are faithful to throng the stadiums with their numbers every week and sing “glory, glory Man United!” or “you’ll never walk alone.” It’s priceless to the journey of self-actualization for any professional. The newest sponsor of such dreams for African players happen to be the Chinese Super League.”
Villarreal's Congolese forward Cedric Bakambu runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League group A football match Slavia Prague v Villarreal in Prague on November 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MILAN KAMMERMAYER(Nov. 1, 2017 - Source: AFP)
Europe used to be the ultimate dream for any living footballer whether the one just starting out in the dusty streets of Kumasi, Ghana or the new professional who just signed for a top domestic club in one of Africa’s local leagues. It’s not just the prospect of a bulky salary from the likes of the English Premier League, or the festivities such as the Oktober Beer Festival surrounding the Bundesliga neither the rich history and competitive nature of the La Liga that attracts top players. Adding to that, there is something about playing in front of a 60,000 crowd who are faithful to throng the stadiums with their numbers every week and sing “glory, glory Man United!” or “you’ll never walk alone.” It’s priceless to the journey of self-actualization for any professional. The newest sponsor of such dreams for African players happen to be the Chinese Super League.
Generally, the Chinese are quite adventurous people and their drive to loop in top stars into their football system to build it up is one manifestation of such ambitions. With a population of more than 1.3 billion, almost twice that of Europe, you can sure bet that it’s only a matter of time before China becomes one of the biggest stages of the game as we love it. Africa has had a huge chunk of their stars leaving for the Asian country, not to wind up their careers like old times but to actually play and develop. The likes of DR Congo’s Cedric Bakambu joined Beijing Guoan in a then African transfer record back in March and has just secured his first silverware and the first for the club in 15 years by winning the Chinese Cup. He is no small man as the 27-year-old had become the first and only African Player to win the Spanish La Liga Player of The Month before moving to China. Now, he is more than settled with 23 goals and 7 assists in just 28 appearances for Beijing Guoan. On the League’s scoring charts, only three players better his record including Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo who bagged 21 league goals.
The list goes on and on with Cameroon’s 2017 AFCON winning captain, Benjamin Moukandjo, Nigeria Women’s 2018 AFCON winning ace, Asisat Oshoala, Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Mushekwi, Super Eagles captain in John Obi Mikel also on the growing list of African stars who have jumped ship to China.
What other trends did you notice in 2018?
Odion Ighalo does not fear for his life!
After a disappointing 2018 FIFA World cup campaign with no goals to his name or an inspiring performance as consolation, the Nigerian forward became more than just a scapegoat as death threats made him reconsider his career. Read full story here.
Oghenekaro Etebo, Odion Ighalo, Leon Balogun and Francis Uzoho stand dejected after conceding the opening goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.
(June 15, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
There are so many things that soccer players go through outside the pitch that the fans seldom pay little attention to. Some players go through emotional torture because of the abuse that comes from the fans when they are not performing well, and some are forced to fear for their lives. This is the story of a certain Nigerian who is one of the many players that have been threatened by their own fans in the midst of a bad performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Former Watford centre forward, Odion Ighalo was one of the first names on the Nigerian team sheet at the recent FIFA World Cup hosted in the cold land of the Russians. He played in Nigeria’s first match in the tournament against Croatia where his nation fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the eventual finalists. He tried his best in front of goal but to no avail and was eventually demoted to the bench in the following match against Iceland. All his efforts in the tournament have gone down the drain in the memories of the radical fans who feel that his only contribution was to huff and puff goal-scoring opportunities. Ighalo has since received death threats from numerous people on his social media accounts which is unacceptable. The player goes to lengths to score a number of goals for his country only to be paid back by insults when he is out of form.
“It was painful but not enough to make me quit the country.”
Odion Ighalo of Nigeria and John Stones of England in action during the International Friendly match between England and Nigeria at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2018 in London, England.
(June 1, 2018 - Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
This is not the first time that a player or coach received death threats because of unfortunate circumstances. Former Chelsea and Italy national team coach, Antonio Conte fell prey to similar attacks from Juventus fans who blamed him for the injury of Claudio Marchisio in August 2014. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio revealed that Conte received death threats on the internet. Soccer fans are entitled to their opinions and reactions after bad performances but there is a line ought to be drawn in terms of expression.
Death threats have a toll on a player’s mindset whenever they play as they feel unsafe, even in their own country. Ighalo talked to BBC Sport after revealing that not only him but his family too received such threats.
After all, we need to remember that soccer is a sport made possible by these players who represent our clubs and national teams. The players are human beings and have emotions which need to be protected like any other. No one deserves to feel unsafe especially after working their socks off for the love of the game only to be attacked by the very same people they sacrifice a lot for.
Denounce these actions and save the lives and careers of our players. We are with you Ighalo!
Do you remember the Ivorian, Gervinho? He’s back in the Italian Serie A
The AFCON winner and former Arsenal and Roma player is back in the Italian Serie A Parma’s books. The same time Ronaldo joined Juventus. Are we in for some serious fun?
The 31-year-old Ivory Coast international is still in the football world, as a player in case you had forgotten about him. The former Arsenal forward has returned to the Italian Serie A, signing for new boys, Parma after he was released by Hebei China Fortune.
Gervinho of the Ivory Coast in action during the International Friendly match between the Netherlands and Ivory Coast held at De Kuip or Stadion Feijenoord on June 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
(June 3, 2017 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
The forward who neared legend status, at least in my opinion is back for a second spell in Italy having previously played for AS Roma. He appeared 88 times for Roma, scoring 26 goals in three seasons before moving to the Chinese Super League side, Hebei China Fortune where he only found the net 4 times in two-and-half years.
Gervinho has been capped 80 times for Ivory Coast and counting. He scored some 22 goals in those caps and won the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Elephants in 2015, having missed a sudden death penalty in the 2012 final when the Ivorians lost to Zambia. He played at two FIFA World Cups, 2010 and 2014 scoring some great goals as well.
He is apparently not done with the Italian Serie A. Will he create more moments magic before he calls time on his career?
Just in case you forgot what he can bring, check out the video below.