Africa’s 7 most embarrassing moments in Brazil

The continent of Africa represented by five nations, Algeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Cameroon and Nigeria did not justify the five slots presently allocated to it by FIFA.Although Nigeria did defeat debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina, Ghana held Germany in a four-goal thriller and Algeria drew with Russia Cameroon were hammered by Croatia, Ivory Coast succumbed to Greece, Ghana […]

The continent of Africa represented by five nations, Algeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Cameroon and Nigeria did not justify the five slots presently allocated to it by FIFA.
Although Nigeria did defeat debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina, Ghana held Germany in a four-goal thriller and Algeria drew with Russia Cameroon were hammered by Croatia, Ivory Coast succumbed to Greece, Ghana lost to Portugal, Nigeria fell to France and Algeria were beaten by Belgium and Germany.
Since none of the African teams reached the quarter-finals, their performance in Brazil leaves much to be desired and also put in great jeopardy the present clamour for more slots to be added to the continent’s five.
To make matters worse, some of the Africa teams engaged in ignominious acts that undoubtedly embarrassed their continent.
SHOT!, therefore, chronicles some of the on and off the pitch actions that are still being discussed across the African continent.
Super Eagles appearance fee row – The Super Eagles of Nigeria once again held the entire nation to ransom in Brazil when the players battled the Aminu Maigari led NFF board over appearance fee. The Federal government had to intervene by sending money to Brazil for the players to be placated before their second round match against France. Eagles had staged a similar show of shame in Gabon before their FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. Though money was ferried to Brazil for the Eagles, the reigning African champions were eliminated after losing 0-1 to France.
Ghana airlifted $3m in cash to settle players’ bonuses – Ghana shared similar financial problems with Nigeria as the West African nation was compelled to fly a whopping $3m in cash to Brazil for payment of players bonuses. The players had downed tools to press for payment of their bonuses. The Ghanaian Football Association eventually submitted to the demand of the players.
Alexandre Song’s red card – The Barcelona player was shown a straight red card in the 4-0 Group A loss for striking Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic in the back with his elbow in an off-the-ball incident. FIFA punished the 26-year-old with a three-match suspension for breaching 48 par. 1 d of its Disciplinary Code, which relates to ‘assaulting (elbowing, punching, kicking etc.) an opponent or a person other than a match official’, as well as a £13,000 fine.
Ekotto and Maukandjo’s headbutt – Apart from the act of violence perpetrated by Indomitable Lions of Cameroon player, Alexnadre Song on Mandzukic, two Cameroonian players almost exchanged blows right on the field of play. When the Lions were down by four goals, Benoit Assou-Ekotto tried to head-butt teammate Benjamin Moukandjo during that match. The whole world was stunned by such unsporting behaviour.
Allegation of match fixing against Cameroon – After losing scandalously to Croatia in their Group A game, there were allegations of match fixing levelled against Cameroon. The central African nation was the only country suspected of fixing a game. Reports – since discredited – linked seven Cameroon players to match-fixing against Croatia.
Boateng and Muntari’s expulsion – Black Stars duo of Kelvin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari were sent packing from the team’s camp for acts of indiscipline. While Boateng was accused of swearing at Coach Appiah Kwesi, his teammate Muntari known for bad temperament was reported to have physically assaulted a Ghana FA official.
Ghana fans request for asylum – Reports had it that after watching their team crash out of the World Cup, over 200 Ghanaian football fans sought asylum in Brazil. Brazilian federal police said some 200 Ghanaians have requested asylum after entering the country on tourist visas to watch the World Cup.