Why are Africans such poor footballers?

[zoffie]

Please, think...

Football is not hereditary, Maradona's son doesn't pop out of the womb with a ball hanging off of his umbilical cord, doing kick-ups.

It doesn't matter about heritage, it matters about where you learned your football.

Zidane didn't learn his football in Algeria, he didn't even choose to play for the NT.

Rodwell is supposed to be of Brazilian heritage, I don't see him doing step-overs.

..and any way, Zidane is French.

 

[IFeedGoats]

Erm Zidane is French.

NO... he is ALGERIAN.... Brought up in Marseille, but he is Algerian, he considers himself Algerian as his parents are Algerian.

Why does he play for France then.

 

[KenTheLandlord]

Absolute drivel. Steven Gerrard is much stronger than SWP and Joe Cole is faster than Jon Obi Mikel. There goes your strength and speed...

What's next, Africans are dumb, only good for manual labour?

Well they are better at boxing due to greater bone and skin density, they can hit harder and get cut less, the same reason they make piss poor swimmers as these advantages mean they weigh more. The speed, in sprinting, is due to the fact the calf muscle attaches lower down and they get the power 'down' quicker. All other factors being the same.

Absolute shite. Look up Andrew Nesty and then explain why the Bolivians dont blow the Ethopians out of the water when it comes to running.
Most of it is about role models and availability of facilities.

 

[IFeedGoats]

Please, think...

Football is not hereditary, Maradona's son doesn't pop out of the womb with a ball hanging off of his umbilical cord, doing kick-ups.

It doesn't matter about heritage, it matters about where you learned your football.

Zidane didn't learn his football in Algeria, he didn't even choose to play for the NT.

Rodwell is supposed to be of Brazilian heritage, I don't see him doing step-overs.

..and any way, Zidane is French.

Although pyhsical make up is which has some input on whether you will make a good footballer, although I do agree the majority is down to where you learn your footy.

 

[jus2nang (gooner)]

NO... he is ALGERIAN.... Brought up in Marseille, but he is Algerian, he considers himself Algerian as his parents are Algerian.

Why does he play for France then.

Allegedly, the Algerian coach at the time turned him away because he was "too slow on the ball". Now wasn't that the 20th century's worst managerial decision in football...

 

[roytoncity]

Africa has great players a number listed.

Football has a number of massive stereotypes, even on this forum in recent weeks topics have included sexuality and gender related issues. British football is quite traditional and follows the prevailent trend all too regularly

Here is my theory, from the eighties European clubs have sought some types of player from Africa not all, this in reality has been based on the pace and power model, this is a continuing legacy. This I believe has restricted playmakers and goalkeepers, playmakers have good games and bad games and with pace and power there is a less risk of bad games.

This combined with quotas remember them, and limited numbers of playmakers required in a squad (1 or 2 in 20) has resulted in these types of players being sought

African football has a diversity (which is reflective of many types of football played across the continent) and those playmakers where not on the shopping list then, not quite the product the big european teams required at the time, play makers and goalkeepers generally are already known, coveted from other teams or come to prominence through international or european football or are in the pipeline (groomed in the academy) one might say.

This is undoubtably changing as the biggest teams and individuals (some ex players) are now gearing up for the Afriacn explosion, with Academies and arrangements with clubs on the continent.

Examples
Who had heard of Ali B at 25 - Not on the radar
Junihno was considered a massive risk, proved to be a success with Middleborough - Stereotype
Was it the best footballer technically you knew at school the one that made it - What scouts are looking for

 

[smudgedj]

Well they are better at boxing due to greater bone and skin density, they can hit harder and get cut less, the same reason they make piss poor swimmers as these advantages mean they weigh more. The speed, in sprinting, is due to the fact the calf muscle attaches lower down and they get the power 'down' quicker. All other factors being the same.

Absolute shite. Look up Andrew Nesty and then explain why the Bolivians dont blow the Ethopians out of the water when it comes to running.
Most of it is about role models and availability of facilities.

I don't need to look it up and what the **** have Bolivians got to do with running? Is it the altitude? Is that what your getting at?

 

[Fame Monster]

It would be negligible to suggest that genes have no bearing on ability. It is obviously a combination of nature and nurture.

No worries Lucky T (I prefer Toma).

 

[levets]

Not true but seen as Africa is the richest continent in the world in resources but has been cleaned out by Europe and America, they don't have the chances that people in other continents do.

Zinedine Zidane - 100% African, say no more.

HE was born in France say no more.

Like most of the Pakistani kids born in England consider themselves English? No, they consider themselves as Pakistani's born in England... Zidane is Algerian, played for France. Vieira is Senegalese, played for france.....

 

[zoffie]

Okay, being objective, thinking of genetics.

Black/African people tend to have bigger feet than European/Caucasian people.

Black/African people tend to be taller than European/Caucasian and South American people.

Taller/Stronger people tend to have slower feet, an are usually less technical, than smaller players who have a lower sense of gravity.

So maybe that is the answer you was looking for although, having watched African Nations like Nigeria and Algeria as much as, for instance England.

Both countries are far superior technically as compared to England, both countries are more skill orientated than England.

..and 9/10 both teams will lose to England.