We’re allowed to talk about the 2010 World Cup until 2014. Later today our man, historian of African soccer, Peter Alegi, will deliver the keynote address at the 7th Sports in Africa Symposium at Ohio University. Since few of us are in Athens, don’t panic: The whole thing–including Peter’s keynote–will be webcasted live here. Here’s […]
Security Guard, World Cup, 2010, Soweto, South Africa.
Look out for a a special issue of African Journalism Studies on “The Fifa World Cup 2010 in the News.” I guest edited. While you’re contemplating whether you’d pay to read the opinions of academics on the greatest sporting event in the world, here’s the relevant parts from my introduction to the special issue:
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, I had blogged about the proliferation of nonsensical press reports claiming 40 000 women would be trafficked into the country during that event. Shortly after the tournament ended, NPR reported on the startling lack of incidences of trafficking, given all the scare-mongering. Then yesterday I was […]
“The thing that overwhelms most is the level of professionalism of native Africans in knowing how to serve a bottle of wine properly,” said Philip Crawford, a designer of luxury homes from Noosa, Australia. From a story by The New York Times correspondent in Johannesburg on how the World Cup had changed the way “… they […]
The World Cup is now over after a final match that unfortunately rivals for negativity, ugliness, aimlessness and overzealous refereeing the 1990 World Cup final in Rome between Germany and Argentina. Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal ensured the right result at least. We can all go back to our normal lives now. But if, like me, you […]
A good way to tide you over till Sunday’s World Cup final is to listen and dance to good music. Here’s five music videos I have on heavy rotation. First up, a current personal favorite of mine: the music video for the Ugandan singer, Jaqee’s single “Moonshine” off her new album. The video was filmed […]
This post introduces Neelika Jayawardane as the newest member of the Africa is a Country conspiracy. We’ll have her bio up soon. — Sean Jacobs Anyone familiar with South Africa knows that its impact with the Dutch produced a contentious past-– a historical collision that had enough momentum to produce repercussions in the present. But you […]
Ghana’s Black Stars was on a run to make history–to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup–until they were hustled by Uruguayan gamesmanship. Here, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Brooklyn, Blitz, backed by a big band, gives proper thanks for the team’s efforts. – Sean Jacobs
