![Sample our Politics & International Relations journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5947/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Politics-International-Relations.jpg"})
Abstract
The massive following that European soccer leagues enjoy in Africa, especially among urban youth, is an aspect of African youth cultures that scholarship has not adequately addressed. This paper explores the phenomenon and its implications for young people’s everyday identity politics, by focusing on how African popular cultures draw on global cultural trends to appeal to urban youth in local settings across the continent. Specifically, what is being analysed is how young people engage with global modernity by projecting their aspirations and desires through the fortunes of their adopted European soccer teams. Using the questionnaire interview method, I talked to nine Ghanaian youths living in Accra, Ghana’s capital, where there currently exists a vibrant youth support movement for foreign clubs. Findings from the interviews reveal that the glamour of European leagues trigger issues of identity, belonging, and politics among young Africans. While some consider their involvement in European leagues as an escape and a powerful protest to the comparatively unattractive soccer landscape on the continent, others perceive it as an expression of their global citizenship and belonging. Recognising the enjoyment that young people elicit from the European soccer craze, the article argues that not only does the entertainment value of foreign soccer ‘absolve’ youth of their allegiance to foreign interests, but it also provides a powerful cultural avenue for them to vicariously participate in a modernity whose privileges they cannot access locally.
L’énorme popularité des ligues européennes de football en Afrique, en particulier parmi les jeunes citadins, est un aspect des cultures de la jeunesse en Afrique que la recherche n'a pas suffisamment abordé. Cet article explore le phénomène et ses implications pour la politique identitaire quotidienne des jeunes. L'article s’intéresse à la façon dont les cultures populaires africaines s’inspirent de tendances culturelles mondiales pour attirer les jeunes citadins dans des contextes locaux dans l’ensemble du continent. Je montre comment les jeunes s’engagent dans la modernité mondiale en projetant leurs aspirations et leurs désirs à travers le destin de leurs équipes de football européennes préférées. En utilisant des entretiens par questionnaire, j'ai parlé à neuf jeunes Ghanéens vivant à Accra, la capitale du Ghana, où il existe actuellement un mouvement de soutien dynamique des jeunes pour les clubs étrangers. Les résultats des entretiens révèlent que le charme des ligues européennes déclenche des problèmes d'identité, d'appartenance et de politique chez les jeunes Africains. Alors que certains considèrent leur implication dans les ligues européennes comme une évasion et une puissante protestation contre le paysage du football relativement peu attrayant sur le continent, d'autres la perçoivent comme une expression de leur citoyenneté mondiale et de leur appartenance. L’article reconnait le plaisir que les jeunes tirent de l'engouement pour le football européen, et soutient que non seulement la valeur de divertissement du football étranger dispense les jeunes de leur allégeance aux intérêts étrangers, mais ils y trouvent également une avenue culturelle puissante pour participle, par procuration à une modernité insaisissable alors qu’ils n’ont pas accès localement à ses avantages et privilèges.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Statement of Ethics
All interviewees have been anonymised and gave consent to be interviewed for the purposes of this research. At the time this study was conducted, Central University did not require ethical approval to be sought for this type of research.
Notes
1 Panneborg, ‘Football in Africa.’
2 MacLean, Bob-Milliar, Baldwin, & Dickey, ‘The construction of citizenship.’
3 Clark, ‘Hip Hop as Social Commentary.’
4 Crandell, Crandell, & Vander Zanden, Human Development.
5 Moje, ‘But Where Are the Youth?’
6 Best African Football Teams. The Africa Report. 2019. FIFA/UEFA https://www.theafricareport.com/21666/best-african-football-teams-in-2019/.
7 At time of writing, Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain, while Ronaldo is with Manchester United.
8 Edensor et al, National Identity, Popular Culture and Everyday Life.
9 Deschamps, Impact of Music Lyrics and Music Videos on Children and Youth.
11 Wagner, ‘Africa’s World Cup.’
12 Poli, ‘Migrations and Trade of African Football Players.’
13 Alegi, African Soccerscapes.
14 Bediako, The Complete History of Ghana Football League.
15 Gyan-Apenteng, Pride and Glory.
16 Alegi, African Soccerscapes
17 Anaman, The Tale of Kwame Nkrumah and Real Madrid.
18 Mandela, ‘How Sports Helped to Transform a Nation’ BBC
20 Mensah, ‘Cultural Dimensions of Globalisation in Africa.’
23 At time of writing, Mohamed Salah played with Liverpool Football Club
24 Georgiou, ‘Bundesliga outlines new African content strategy,’ p. 1.
25 Poli, ‘Migrations and Trade of African Football Players.’
26 Hansen, ‘Cities of youth.’
27 Gyimah-Brempong, & Kimenyi, Mwangi Youth Policy; Ayesu, ‘Billboards, Youth, Unemployment and Superstition in Mamfe-Akuapem, Ghana.’
28 Idang, ‘African Culture and Values,’ & Robertson, ‘Globalization.’
29 Asante, The Youth and Future of Democracy in Ghana.
30 Crossman, Sociological Definition of Popular Culture, Mensah, ‘Cultural Dimensions of Globalisation in Africa’; & Said, Culture and Imperialism.
31 de Wall, ‘Realizing Child Rights in Africa,’ p. 19.
32 McLean et al, ‘The Construction of Citizenship’; Clark, ‘Representing Africa!’
33 Crain, Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications.