Sitting in a bar in downtown Owerri recently, I waited with a few friends to watch the much-awaited Champions League game between Inter Milan and Barcelona. While sipping my palm wine from the traditional keg, I took in the exciting debate going on among the numerous fans around us. But why the fascination and excitement about a match taking place far away in Europe, between European clubs?
Africa has long been a continent filled with conflict, in particular the many fratricidal squabbles over resources and territory. But in recent time, the beautiful game of soccer has gone a long way towards healing old wounds as an agent of conflict resolution.
Indeed, my trip around the suburbs of many African cities exposed a unity in diversity when it comes to our love of soccer. On this particular evening in Owerri, I saw how Nigerians of very different backgrounds debated in peace. This bar near a military base was a centrepiece for mutual understanding and inter-ethnic discourse.
Not long ago the international community witnessed how Nigeria was held to ransom due to the ill health of our president. This crisis almost degenerated to an ethnic battle pitching our country against itself. But none of that tension was evident here. Like at most soccer games, Nigerians had reasoned against the embers of division, corruption and hatred that have pervaded in the political terrain.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa has given Africa as a whole the opportunity to showcase the beauty of its hospitality and love for soccer to the world. Truly, the continent has been agog with fanfare and celebrations, and I have been moved by the once unimaginable passion exhibited by my people. They have shown the importance of unity in diversity, brotherly love and a proper understanding of soccer much more than those who originally introduced it.
But what has Africa learnt from the game of soccer? For one, the importance of supporting one another through sport. Support for the game has transcended economic and socio-political tensions – a good example of this is in Ivory Coast. Despite a north/south divide among Ivorians that mirrors our own in Nigeria, the success of the Didier Drogba-led national team remains their top priority.
The exploits of the Elephants and their stars in top European clubs have been a source of pride to many in Abidjan, Buake and elsewhere. But I can’t ignore the downside, either: honouring African stars has helped shore up the image of African dictators in the minds of their soccer crazy and vulnerable countrymen. In Ivory Coast, President Laurent Gbagbo has made the most of this to help raise his battered image in his quest to hang on to power.
The power of soccer in Africa is really something extraordinaire. Not only an agent of togetherness between foes and rivals, it also plays a role in the patching-up of social stratification and economic empowerment.
I’ve witnessed first-hand the might of the game in solving Africa’s perennial search for peace and nationhood in this modern era. In a continent peopled by many different nations, cultures, ideologies, faiths and struggles, the round leather ball has reared its head as a rallying symbol for positive change.
Ukachukwu Okorie is originally from Nigeria and writes weekly for Metro Éireann. Visit his website at www.olumouka.com
