By: Bolaji Oyegunle African football expert, Tunde Adelakun has applauded the statement credited to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, recently about the need for a way around Africa getting more places in the World Cup has been applauded.
He described it is a very welcome development and that African players have done more than enough to merit it.
“It is also very good that FIFA President Sepp Blatter recognizes this, and openly expressed it. An acknowledgement of the lop-sidedness of World Cup place allocation by the biggest man in football is definitely not something to be taken with a pinch of salt”, Adelakun said.
The World Cup’s 32 places are distributed in a way that guarantees 13 places for Europe (which has 52 member associations), 4 or 5 places for South America (which has 13 member associations) and 5 places for Africa (although the biggest confederation in the world, with 54 members).
“This is unfair, especially considering the contribution that African players have made in the biggest leagues of the world.
“Many would remember that it used to be much worse – in the days when we only had one, then two representatives. But we have shown that we can match other continents in terms of quality of football on the pitch, and we certainly deserve more” he said.
It remains a mystery how in fact, this change can be made, as it might mean reducing the European numbers in participation, something that UEFA would not take too kindly to, but Adelakun feels that the time to exert pressure is now.
He said, “CAF under the leadership of President Issa Hayatou has done so much in increasing the number of African participation over the years. But we need to do more now, and campaign vigorously for more slots, because, most importantly, we have an ally in Blatter, who will put his weight behind us if we speak out”.
