Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) reaches its climax in Ivory Coast, speculation is rampant about which team will emerge as the ultimate winner. Whether it’s a footballing heavyweight like Morocco or Senegal or a relative minnow like Angola or Cape Verde, the tournament remains unpredictable.
A noteworthy aspect of recent Afcon tournaments is the increasing presence of captains born outside of Africa. In the 2023 edition, out of 630 registered players, 200 were not born in Africa, representing a global diaspora in African football. The countries contributing the most non-African players include France (104), Spain (24), and England (15).
Morocco leads in embracing diaspora players, with 18 squad members born outside the country, a trend seen in other teams like Equatorial Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While this phenomenon has propelled some African teams to success, critics argue that it fosters complacency in the continent’s football development.
The intense global talent competition in football often involves naturalizing players, and Africa is no exception. This phenomenon reflects the continent’s colonial history and its diasporas worldwide. Notable players like Riyad Mahrez and Kalidou Koulibaly, born in France to Algerian and Senegalese parents, respectively, illustrate this trend.
Players often choose to represent their parents’ birthplaces due to self-identity and family influence, adding a multidimensional sense of place to their decision. Critics argue that some diaspora players may opt for African teams because they might not be good enough to play for European nations.
Despite concerns about the long-term impact on African football development, the approach seems successful, as seen in Morocco’s impressive performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, reaching the semi-finals. Senegal and Cape Verde have also demonstrated success, challenging traditional footballing powerhouses.
However, skeptics, including former players like Joseph-Antoine Bell, express concerns about the potential culture of complacency that may arise due to the reliance on diaspora talent. Bell advocates for Africa to develop its solutions for talent identification and development, acknowledging the challenges of time and resources.
As the Afcon tournament concludes, the birthplace of the winning captain will likely spark further debate on the role and impact of diaspora players in African football.
