http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/11/football-age-real-age-and-the-meanings-of-age-in-africa/ Exploring football culture around the world Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:58:05 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 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 [...]

]]> 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 [...]

]]> 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.

]]> 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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