Comments on: Football Age, Real Age, and the Meanings of Age in Africa http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/ A soccer blog featuring essays, news and photography exploring soccer around the world Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:48:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-25641 Jon Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:59:22 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-25641 Well written article, but i'm trying to figure out if that last paragraph was your attempt at comedy? I'll just assume you were just trying to come off as unbiased and opposed to racial stereotyping. Truth is, it's not racist to recognize, address and accept the reality of the age situation in Africa. It's time to stop making excuses for this nonsense. You can argue physical development, cultural differences, etc... but I don't care what corner of the world you live on, there is no way to justify 27-30 year-olds playing in tournaments against 14 and 15 year-olds. Well written article, but i’m trying to figure out if that last paragraph was your attempt at comedy? I’ll just assume you were just trying to come off as unbiased and opposed to racial stereotyping. Truth is, it’s not racist to recognize, address and accept the reality of the age situation in Africa. It’s time to stop making excuses for this nonsense.

You can argue physical development, cultural differences, etc… but I don’t care what corner of the world you live on, there is no way to justify 27-30 year-olds playing in tournaments against 14 and 15 year-olds.

]]> By: Mediating South Africa 2010: Parting Thoughts and Sources | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-23940 Mediating South Africa 2010: Parting Thoughts and Sources | Pitch Invasion Mon, 31 May 2010 16:49:54 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-23940 [...] playing in Malawi, then wrote several pieces on prominent issues in contemporary African soccer (on the uncertain ages of players, on local obsessions with European leagues, on youth academies and player migration, on the idea of [...] [...] playing in Malawi, then wrote several pieces on prominent issues in contemporary African soccer (on the uncertain ages of players, on local obsessions with European leagues, on youth academies and player migration, on the idea of [...]

]]> By: Terry » Archive » Age Cheating http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-23694 Terry » Archive » Age Cheating Tue, 25 May 2010 18:48:33 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-23694 [...] age cheating is quite common place in African soccer- I would also recommend checking out this article. The authors link the problem of age cheating back to poverty and believe that youth represents [...] [...] age cheating is quite common place in African soccer- I would also recommend checking out this article. The authors link the problem of age cheating back to poverty and believe that youth represents [...]

]]> By: Hugo http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-23515 Hugo Wed, 19 May 2010 09:59:42 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-23515 "As such, while acknowledging that using “over-age” players can be problematic for player development within a country, it is also worth thinking carefully about whether African youth teams that “cheat” by using players of uncertain chronological ages are really doing anything worse than making up for having to play by someone else’s definition of “real” age." What a poorly written article. The author is clearly a buffoon. That last sentence sums it up. He thinks the problem is less the endemic corruption and blatant cheating in African football, and more the fact that they are forced to play in tournaments with players whose real ages conform to those in the rules. Like everyone else. As if the concept of real age is the problem. What a joke. “As such, while acknowledging that using “over-age” players can be problematic for player development within a country, it is also worth thinking carefully about whether African youth teams that “cheat” by using players of uncertain chronological ages are really doing anything worse than making up for having to play by someone else’s definition of “real” age.”

What a poorly written article. The author is clearly a buffoon. That last sentence sums it up. He thinks the problem is less the endemic corruption and blatant cheating in African football, and more the fact that they are forced to play in tournaments with players whose real ages conform to those in the rules. Like everyone else. As if the concept of real age is the problem. What a joke.

]]> By: A World Cup Miscellany: Group B | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-23491 A World Cup Miscellany: Group B | Pitch Invasion Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:18 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-23491 [...] writers; its enigmatic and brilliant Super Eagles dominating FIFA age-group competitions with players of uncertain age.  Greece with its recent protests for the workers of a bankrupt state; its cynical and magnificent [...] [...] writers; its enigmatic and brilliant Super Eagles dominating FIFA age-group competitions with players of uncertain age.  Greece with its recent protests for the workers of a bankrupt state; its cynical and magnificent [...]

]]> By: Birthdays and Caps: The Maturation Problem in Youth Development | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-10274 Birthdays and Caps: The Maturation Problem in Youth Development | Pitch Invasion Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:34:14 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-10274 [...] intended to group people at approximately levels in their physical maturation (something I’ve written about before in relation to claims of age cheats).  But physical maturation rates actually vary [...] [...] intended to group people at approximately levels in their physical maturation (something I’ve written about before in relation to claims of age cheats).  But physical maturation rates actually vary [...]

]]> By: The Sweeper: FA Failing in Grassroots Development | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-9262 The Sweeper: FA Failing in Grassroots Development | Pitch Invasion Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:57:21 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-9262 [...] Gambia has admitted “two or three” of its players from the African U-17 championship failed an age test, a controversial technique discussed here recently [...] [...] Gambia has admitted “two or three” of its players from the African U-17 championship failed an age test, a controversial technique discussed here recently [...]

]]> By: Barry http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-8207 Barry Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:13:30 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-8207 I think another issue to consider (which doesn't negate the 'real' and 'footballing' age issue) in relation to African Nations doing better in youth tournaments relative to senior ones, is the overwhelming influence of physical strength, power and speed over tactics at the younger ages. It could be argued that at the same age of say 17, Africans possess superior muscular abilities and stamina over Europeans and others, and at the youth level, this is a decisive advantage, since players aren't fully aware tactically, nor are teams as organised as senior teams. At the youth level, speed and strength is very important, as divergence in talent is not that large. Hence, African nations tend to do much better simply because they are stronger and quicker relative to their opponents at a younger age. I think another issue to consider (which doesn’t negate the ‘real’ and ‘footballing’ age issue) in relation to African Nations doing better in youth tournaments relative to senior ones, is the overwhelming influence of physical strength, power and speed over tactics at the younger ages. It could be argued that at the same age of say 17, Africans possess superior muscular abilities and stamina over Europeans and others, and at the youth level, this is a decisive advantage, since players aren’t fully aware tactically, nor are teams as organised as senior teams. At the youth level, speed and strength is very important, as divergence in talent is not that large. Hence, African nations tend to do much better simply because they are stronger and quicker relative to their opponents at a younger age.

]]> By: A.Loum http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-8198 A.Loum Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:06:01 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=2132#comment-8198 I think the reason(s)is 1.African is not equally represented, which limits our chances of reaching the semi finals, case in point Senegal reached the quarter finals and could have won the whole thing.Nigeria samething againt Italy. 2Both Senegal and Nigeria fail because of structural decipline I think the reason(s)is 1.African is not equally represented, which limits our chances of reaching the semi finals, case in point Senegal reached the quarter finals and could have won the whole thing.Nigeria samething againt Italy.
2Both Senegal and Nigeria fail because of structural decipline

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