I came across the above thesis when researching my Johan Djourou article, I'll quote a bit below and put a link to it. Its an awesome look into the way African footballers have taken football and moved it light years forward. A great read.
The below quote is from the introduction to his thesis, but its such a great read because it gives you an understanding of where your favourite players are from and what is in their heads. Think of Adebayor, a footballer from Togo, a tiny little country now playing for Real Madrid...all because he can kick a ball. Its mad.
" 1.1 Moving with the ball African football players have a long standing tradition in European football. It is no coincidence that the Old Continent introduced what is now sometimes called the Global Game in its African colonies. Nobody probably had expected how fast the popularity of the game would spread over the continent. Football quickly became the most significant pastime of young boys. It also became one of the few areas where countries could gradually aspire to achieve the same prestige as their Western or European counterparts.
International competitions provide indeed a stage to measure themselves with their former rulers. As a consequence, football does not only intrigue the mind of the young African boy in all levels of society but has also became a true political stake. There is only one key to succeed in Europe and that is hard working. The expectations that many African players cherish are somehow different from the reality however. The change of climate, the social aspect and sometimes blatant racism on and off the field does not reallymatch their initial prospects.
The style of football in Europe collides also with how most ofthe Africans see the game. They often distinguish themselves in making the ball their own even more so because, as foreign players, they need to prove their abilities more than home players. The first generation of Nigerian players for example, always talks about how to treat the ball. "Nigerians, they say, know how to handle it: they caress it with their feet; they sway it in their neck. They touch it personally, loving and tender, pitiless and harsh, like their feeling tells them. The ball is their long life. They grew up with it in the African streets where they not only dribbled their opponents but also the chickens, goats, motorcycles and cars along the road". The immigration of African football players, seeking employment in Europe has seen increasing interest over the past years. One particular element carries an important meaning however regarding statistical analysis. Indeed, a distinction has to be drawn between players who move with or without the ball."
Its an insightful read, very well thought out and produced. I hope Jonas doesn't mind me showcasing a bit of it here and linking to it here
WG
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