FIFA must bow her ugly head in shame. They are always trying hard to discredit African nations in all things we do. Is it not a big shame that Africa has 54 nations but FIFA only awards us 5 slots to appear in World Cup Compe ... read full comment
FIFA must bow her ugly head in shame. They are always trying hard to discredit African nations in all things we do. Is it not a big shame that Africa has 54 nations but FIFA only awards us 5 slots to appear in World Cup Competitions? Why does FIFA give 13 slots to European nations and a chunk to Central America, South America and North America but always disrespect Africa's 54 countries by giving us only 5 countries? God will punish FIFA and their racists top officials if they don't give Africa at least, 8 slots for now. FIFA ranking? Shallow.
Kofi of New York 9 years ago
FIFA's ranking basically promotes rich nations that give and support FIFA fishy business with hefty money. Just look at the top FIFA ranking position of U.S.A. Does it warrant their football/soocer performance? Yes, U.S.A pl ... read full comment
FIFA's ranking basically promotes rich nations that give and support FIFA fishy business with hefty money. Just look at the top FIFA ranking position of U.S.A. Does it warrant their football/soocer performance? Yes, U.S.A plays good football but their ranking position according to FIFA is a big lie.
Again, one of the cheapest arguments of FIFA awarding only 5 slots to Africa is that FIFA officials have been saying African nations don't do well in the World Cup games. But let us look at this critically: European teams have not been doing well recently but FIFA still give them 13 slots. In the current on-going World Cup in Brazil, top European nations are all gone home. Apart from France, Germany, and Holland, teams such as England, Spain, Italy, etc. did not exhibit any good footballing and exited outrightly during the first round of the group stages. Does it mean that FIFA would reduce European nations slots because they have not been doing well since 1998? FIFA must know that God is watching them carefully and if they don't treat Africa with respect, dignity, and fairness, the Lord would begin to sweep them.
Dutch man 9 years ago
European teams have been doing well since 1998.Every world cup final since 1998 has seen a European team in final cup game and two or more European teams in the semi final.European team has won the last two world cup 2010 and ... read full comment
European teams have been doing well since 1998.Every world cup final since 1998 has seen a European team in final cup game and two or more European teams in the semi final.European team has won the last two world cup 2010 and 2006.No African team has ever achieve semi final or gone past quarter final.4 good European teams still in the world cup,3 south American one Caribbean costa Rica.African teams must earn respect by going deeper into the latter stage or a least a semi final.Respect is earn not given.Ghana could not beat USA,nigeria could not beat Iran, ivory coast could not beat Greece.The best of africa could not even beat the worst of the worst.where is the prove that one should respect African teams, there is non. Earn respect on the field
Schalke fan 9 years ago
Ei! you dis Dutch man,you dey oh!,anyway we know what you`re talking about but we don`t have time for that now b`cos we have our own problems to solve in soccer management.We`ll be there to earn that respect you`re talking ab ... read full comment
Ei! you dis Dutch man,you dey oh!,anyway we know what you`re talking about but we don`t have time for that now b`cos we have our own problems to solve in soccer management.We`ll be there to earn that respect you`re talking about soon.
sahabia 9 years ago
I do agree with you very so much what you said is the same I feel. I used to like Germany team but watching ballack said no African nation will make it y I nock out stage has make me don't want to see Germany win again. I wi ... read full comment
I do agree with you very so much what you said is the same I feel. I used to like Germany team but watching ballack said no African nation will make it y I nock out stage has make me don't want to see Germany win again. I will not in my life support Germany at all. Wacthing this world cup make fee African should have stop being part of this so call world cup. Because there is no fairness in fifa about African. Im hurt but can't say much because there is so much more hurt when you talk about it.
sahabia 9 years ago
Stupid think Africa don't for well in world cups give that of 13 Europe slot to Africa and that of 5 Africa slots to Europe and see who will win the cup. The 13 slot is big enough for Europe to win because no matter what they ... read full comment
Stupid think Africa don't for well in world cups give that of 13 Europe slot to Africa and that of 5 Africa slots to Europe and see who will win the cup. The 13 slot is big enough for Europe to win because no matter what they will still have at least on or 2 to the finals.
Dutch man 9 years ago
Ghana was rank lower than the three teams in their group.Ghana come last in their group, hence they perform according to their rank.The rank projected Ghana to finish bottom and it come to pass.
Ghana was rank lower than the three teams in their group.Ghana come last in their group, hence they perform according to their rank.The rank projected Ghana to finish bottom and it come to pass.
Appletus 9 years ago
So SPAIN loss too and we shall see the next ranking. Do not be surprised that they might still lead the group.
So SPAIN loss too and we shall see the next ranking. Do not be surprised that they might still lead the group.
Schalke fan 9 years ago
Spain is still the European Champion my brother.
Spain is still the European Champion my brother.
Ajm 9 years ago
Africa still suck at football and always wil haha
Africa still suck at football and always wil haha
GHanaboy 9 years ago
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them go ... read full comment
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them going father than the best African teams.
GHanaboy 9 years ago
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them go ... read full comment
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them going father than the best
African teams.
Good Boy 9 years ago
cletus what you should know is that soccer in non deterministic event. So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future. So a FIFA ranking of such a system should not be interpreted to mean that once a country is ra ... read full comment
cletus what you should know is that soccer in non deterministic event. So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future. So a FIFA ranking of such a system should not be interpreted to mean that once a country is ranked higher than another its gonna win against it in all situations. No. That is not the attrbutes of a nondetermistic system.What the ranking simply tells you is that it is a scale of past events in which all nations that have interacted in soccer have been given placements based on past performances collectively. Here the past does not inform the future. However connoisseurs of the sport may use other cogent means to determine the so called soccer giants. So really there are soccer giants but FIFA ranking is not the basis for that. And if you want to continue with your line of reasoning that FIFA ranking should automatically require a high ranking country to beat a lower one, then you are really saying that there is no need to play this tournament. Cos only the high ranks will go. But no thats nt it. Evidently thats not what really pertains.
Appletus 9 years ago
That is the reason why FIFA's ranking is absolute rubbish. You just said that.."So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future" but they are the very basis of FIFA's determination of ranking which I find to be too ... read full comment
That is the reason why FIFA's ranking is absolute rubbish. You just said that.."So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future" but they are the very basis of FIFA's determination of ranking which I find to be too skewed to be statistically significant.
And ..some of factors used to determine the calculation of the points are the importance of match, strength of opposing team and strength of confederation. They then assign values (points) depending on the confederation. Total nonsense...how do you even determine if a team is strong given the surprises at this tournament? Why is only 5 slots for CAF as compared to other considerations?
Its high time FIFA did an analysis of their biased ranking and come out with a more fair unanachronistic model.
The current model is flawed...they must admit that in shame and bow down their heads in same.
Ka Nawu 9 years ago
infact all your comment is 100% right,fifa, only knows whom they attribute their rankings for, I just don't want to talk about it, thank u again for u comment
infact all your comment is 100% right,fifa, only knows whom they attribute their rankings for, I just don't want to talk about it, thank u again for u comment
karim 9 years ago
a world cup is supposed to be for every continent. so how come africa has only 5 seats. considering there are 8 groups the chance of advancing to the next round is around 50 percent or less. no way an african team can win the ... read full comment
a world cup is supposed to be for every continent. so how come africa has only 5 seats. considering there are 8 groups the chance of advancing to the next round is around 50 percent or less. no way an african team can win the world cup. it will always favour europe. there are so many teams who didn't make it like tunisia, egypt senegal burkina faso. i believe africa should boycott the world cup till we get 3 more seats. 7 european teams of 13 went out in the first round.
crack 9 years ago
ahhh a continent that has poor managerial skills in their football association n u want to have more seeds in the world cup......when u kam koraaaa wat wil u do???waduru aaaa ye quater finals mmoaaa!!!!
ahhh a continent that has poor managerial skills in their football association n u want to have more seeds in the world cup......when u kam koraaaa wat wil u do???waduru aaaa ye quater finals mmoaaa!!!!
S Agbonlahor (Aston Villa Youth) 9 years ago
Sir, You neglect to take into account that the location of the world cup is a major factor in the performance of certain teams. European countries in particular have always struggled to play to their full potential in the al ... read full comment
Sir, You neglect to take into account that the location of the world cup is a major factor in the performance of certain teams. European countries in particular have always struggled to play to their full potential in the altitude and climate of the continent. Also, have you considered whether Costa Rica and Colombia would have performed as well if the tournament was played on the European continent? I assure you they would not.
You asked "who says Brazil, Argentina, Spain etc. are the dominant forces in football- sir I suggest a basic look at statistics tell you about the dominance of the international game.
The gap between the quality of football is narrowing but not at such a radical progression as you or Brazil 2014 suggests. I do not mean to take anything away from the 'minnow nations' but the heat and altitude had its part to play too. I agree that FIFAs rankings aren't perfect though, but no one has suggested a better way of calculation.
Also, some nations players do not naturally suit the international style of play. It is unfortunate that we will never see the pace and physical style of the EPL in international games, and this difference in style will also put so easy nations at a distinct disadvantage, mainly England themselves.
TOHUGU 9 years ago
Mr.Agbonlahor your argument lends credence to Mr. Cletus point that FIFA ranking are RUBBISH and I must add'extremely subjectively BOGUS'.You cited the altitude and climate of South America being the reason why the European t ... read full comment
Mr.Agbonlahor your argument lends credence to Mr. Cletus point that FIFA ranking are RUBBISH and I must add'extremely subjectively BOGUS'.You cited the altitude and climate of South America being the reason why the European teams did not perform well. Are you suggesting that soccer matches have to be played only in climates that are suitable to certain faction of the world community alone? What of the African countries who travel to Europe and the US to play FIFA friendlies during late Fall and early Spring. If we should go by your arguments and be fair I SUGGEST WE FIND A NEUTRAL COUNTRY WHOSE CLIMATE NEITHER TROPICAL NOR TEMPERATE. FIFA's rankings are extremely warped and patronizing.
JAK -GENEVA 9 years ago
What is good anyway about spanish football? they hate africans and never allow spanish of african origin to come close to their national team.
No wonder they a failure now. I support the fact the if 13 slots are given to afr ... read full comment
What is good anyway about spanish football? they hate africans and never allow spanish of african origin to come close to their national team.
No wonder they a failure now. I support the fact the if 13 slots are given to africa like europe the world cup will rock. I cant imagine a world cup with ghana, senegal, egypt, moroco, south africa, nigeria, algeria , zambia to mention but a few all involved. God bless africa
Reuben UK 9 years ago
How can you classify Ghana as a soccer nation when we don't have any facility for the development and advancement of the game?. For Ghana to qualify as a soccer nation, let the game be developed right from rural areas down to ... read full comment
How can you classify Ghana as a soccer nation when we don't have any facility for the development and advancement of the game?. For Ghana to qualify as a soccer nation, let the game be developed right from rural areas down to the cities, in terms of facilities and efforts.
GHanaboy 9 years ago
you hit the nail in the head. African just complain, we don't solve problems. we dont even acknowledge the problem. Ballack is totally right, sad to say
you hit the nail in the head. African just complain, we don't solve problems. we dont even acknowledge the problem. Ballack is totally right, sad to say
Schalke fan 9 years ago
Our soccer management is simply crass.
Our soccer management is simply crass.
GHanaboy 9 years ago
Most ranking a rubbish anyway, especially in team sports. Because teams do change. But ranking is also important and you can only use previous data or history, no one can anticipate the future. I am sure Honduras, Costa Rica ... read full comment
Most ranking a rubbish anyway, especially in team sports. Because teams do change. But ranking is also important and you can only use previous data or history, no one can anticipate the future. I am sure Honduras, Costa Rica etc will move up and Spain will not be up there for long. The problem with African teams is that we do not play many games and so we don't rack up points and if we do we do don't use our best squad because all out players are playing in these elite European teams and do not let them go.
GHanaboy 9 years ago
look at our turfs, there is no reason why we should do well, we can't even pay them, we use uneducated coaches, our politicians take control, bad decisions (how can you dismiss players on the day of you most important game, e ... read full comment
look at our turfs, there is no reason why we should do well, we can't even pay them, we use uneducated coaches, our politicians take control, bad decisions (how can you dismiss players on the day of you most important game, especially id =f this is mostly your fault) we have to get our house in order otherwise I do agree with Ballack we should dream about wining the world cup. At this rate even USA will do it before we do. How did the African teams do this year? Ballack didn't lie
blhc@bronx 9 years ago
It will never happen in the countries you mentioned in your article where a player can decide selection for the coach. hence Ghana have a long way to go.
It will never happen in the countries you mentioned in your article where a player can decide selection for the coach. hence Ghana have a long way to go.
TOHUGU 9 years ago
If only FIFA will read this article is one thing and what action they take to rectify their rather biased and abysmal treatment of Africa is another. How many of the referees and linesmen are Africans? There is no country in ... read full comment
If only FIFA will read this article is one thing and what action they take to rectify their rather biased and abysmal treatment of Africa is another. How many of the referees and linesmen are Africans? There is no country in Africa where soccer is not played, and where the children didn't start playing soccer from the womb. We are the second largest continent on the planet and yet we have allowed ourselves to be reduced to the role of subserviency. We are treated as scum at every international event. By now our so-called leaders, should have seen through this feigned attitudes of these world organizations and lodged a vehement protest with an actionable threat to opt out if our grievances are not met. FIFA is nothing but a stooge of the palm-greasing nations-the select few.
johnny 9 years ago
Fifa is right which African country has been in the world cup final before were having just two until cameroun went to the quarter or semifinals so shut up
Fifa is right which African country has been in the world cup final before were having just two until cameroun went to the quarter or semifinals so shut up
Kwaku Ampofo 9 years ago
Cletus, I like your article since I've always wondered about the basis of FIFA's rankings. However, Kevin Boateng and Essien are not the best players on the Ghana's team. They just had fresh legs and I might not like to attri ... read full comment
Cletus, I like your article since I've always wondered about the basis of FIFA's rankings. However, Kevin Boateng and Essien are not the best players on the Ghana's team. They just had fresh legs and I might not like to attribute the change in tempo of the first match to their introduction. Did you see Kevin in the second match? Essien never played again.
Ghana crushing out early might not be attributed to a sub-par manager. Do you also eat your words after watching Ghana/Germany about sub-par manager? How about the Portugal match?At least, management should have boosted the players moral by giving them their appearance fee of $100k even before they played the first match. The team and management haggled over the fee even before the games got underway. The boys were really not serious due to the money issues. The money issue was very subtle and went a long way for their ultimate performance.
Besides they did not play together for long and so a very good team work was lacking. Most of the players who played the qualifying games were discarded for the arrogant and money conscious foreign based players. So a lot of factors went into their crushing out. Stupid on the nation and team's part that they could beat the US all the time!
jay Tee 9 years ago
they only show the G8 and Richest nations as highest ranked team oh don't you know FIFA is so racist and corrupt
they only show the G8 and Richest nations as highest ranked team oh don't you know FIFA is so racist and corrupt
Kojo USA 9 years ago
Is G7 now.. Russia is not part of it anymore.
Is G7 now.. Russia is not part of it anymore.
NII ARMAH 9 years ago
TOO. GLAD THOSE COMMENTATORS SOUNDED STUPID 7 FOOLS AFTER THE MATCH BECAUSE THEY EXHIBITED BIAS AND IGNORANCE?
TOO. GLAD THOSE COMMENTATORS SOUNDED STUPID 7 FOOLS AFTER THE MATCH BECAUSE THEY EXHIBITED BIAS AND IGNORANCE?
FIFA must bow her ugly head in shame. They are always trying hard to discredit African nations in all things we do. Is it not a big shame that Africa has 54 nations but FIFA only awards us 5 slots to appear in World Cup Compe ...
read full comment
FIFA's ranking basically promotes rich nations that give and support FIFA fishy business with hefty money. Just look at the top FIFA ranking position of U.S.A. Does it warrant their football/soocer performance? Yes, U.S.A pl ...
read full comment
European teams have been doing well since 1998.Every world cup final since 1998 has seen a European team in final cup game and two or more European teams in the semi final.European team has won the last two world cup 2010 and ...
read full comment
Ei! you dis Dutch man,you dey oh!,anyway we know what you`re talking about but we don`t have time for that now b`cos we have our own problems to solve in soccer management.We`ll be there to earn that respect you`re talking ab ...
read full comment
I do agree with you very so much what you said is the same I feel. I used to like Germany team but watching ballack said no African nation will make it y I nock out stage has make me don't want to see Germany win again. I wi ...
read full comment
Stupid think Africa don't for well in world cups give that of 13 Europe slot to Africa and that of 5 Africa slots to Europe and see who will win the cup. The 13 slot is big enough for Europe to win because no matter what they ...
read full comment
Ghana was rank lower than the three teams in their group.Ghana come last in their group, hence they perform according to their rank.The rank projected Ghana to finish bottom and it come to pass.
So SPAIN loss too and we shall see the next ranking. Do not be surprised that they might still lead the group.
Spain is still the European Champion my brother.
Africa still suck at football and always wil haha
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them go ...
read full comment
I disagree that we suck, go back and watch all the games our technical ability and skills are unmatched, we lack discipline, support from our leader and sometimes resilience. The US team sucks but their resilience got them go ...
read full comment
cletus what you should know is that soccer in non deterministic event. So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future. So a FIFA ranking of such a system should not be interpreted to mean that once a country is ra ...
read full comment
That is the reason why FIFA's ranking is absolute rubbish. You just said that.."So events of the past cannot be used to predict the future" but they are the very basis of FIFA's determination of ranking which I find to be too ...
read full comment
infact all your comment is 100% right,fifa, only knows whom they attribute their rankings for, I just don't want to talk about it, thank u again for u comment
a world cup is supposed to be for every continent. so how come africa has only 5 seats. considering there are 8 groups the chance of advancing to the next round is around 50 percent or less. no way an african team can win the ...
read full comment
ahhh a continent that has poor managerial skills in their football association n u want to have more seeds in the world cup......when u kam koraaaa wat wil u do???waduru aaaa ye quater finals mmoaaa!!!!
Sir, You neglect to take into account that the location of the world cup is a major factor in the performance of certain teams. European countries in particular have always struggled to play to their full potential in the al ...
read full comment
Mr.Agbonlahor your argument lends credence to Mr. Cletus point that FIFA ranking are RUBBISH and I must add'extremely subjectively BOGUS'.You cited the altitude and climate of South America being the reason why the European t ...
read full comment
What is good anyway about spanish football? they hate africans and never allow spanish of african origin to come close to their national team.
No wonder they a failure now. I support the fact the if 13 slots are given to afr ...
read full comment
How can you classify Ghana as a soccer nation when we don't have any facility for the development and advancement of the game?. For Ghana to qualify as a soccer nation, let the game be developed right from rural areas down to ...
read full comment
you hit the nail in the head. African just complain, we don't solve problems. we dont even acknowledge the problem. Ballack is totally right, sad to say
Our soccer management is simply crass.
Most ranking a rubbish anyway, especially in team sports. Because teams do change. But ranking is also important and you can only use previous data or history, no one can anticipate the future. I am sure Honduras, Costa Rica ...
read full comment
look at our turfs, there is no reason why we should do well, we can't even pay them, we use uneducated coaches, our politicians take control, bad decisions (how can you dismiss players on the day of you most important game, e ...
read full comment
It will never happen in the countries you mentioned in your article where a player can decide selection for the coach. hence Ghana have a long way to go.
If only FIFA will read this article is one thing and what action they take to rectify their rather biased and abysmal treatment of Africa is another. How many of the referees and linesmen are Africans? There is no country in ...
read full comment
Fifa is right which African country has been in the world cup final before were having just two until cameroun went to the quarter or semifinals so shut up
Cletus, I like your article since I've always wondered about the basis of FIFA's rankings. However, Kevin Boateng and Essien are not the best players on the Ghana's team. They just had fresh legs and I might not like to attri ...
read full comment
they only show the G8 and Richest nations as highest ranked team oh don't you know FIFA is so racist and corrupt
Is G7 now.. Russia is not part of it anymore.
TOO. GLAD THOSE COMMENTATORS SOUNDED STUPID 7 FOOLS AFTER THE MATCH BECAUSE THEY EXHIBITED BIAS AND IGNORANCE?