Parts 1 & 2 of a quality 4 part series on BBC World Service, looking at the history of football in Africa. I found the political links particularly fascinating, lots of high profile African Nationalist figures gained experience in organizing/running football teams, so it’s no surprise that football would take center stage as African countries first started to gain independence. The stories of Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghanaian Black Stars and Algeria’s FLN team, both formed in the late 50’s, are especially interesting. The Black Stars drew 3 – 3 with European champions Real Madrid (Franco’s team!) in 1960 and Algeria’s National football team existed before the Nation gained independence from France! Featuring some of the best players in France and acting as a key vehicle for spreading the message of Algeria’s plight. Click the “read the rest of this entry” (below Kwame) for links
Kwame Nkrumah on a Soviet postage stamp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2010/01/100108_africa_kicks_one.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2010/01/100114_africa_kicks_two.shtml
