Africa must place faith in homegrown coaches - Blatter
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has warned that an African team is unlikely to win a World Cup if the continent does not place more faith in its coaches.
"A coach must have a feeling for the heart and soul of his players - look at Nigeria for instance," he said."The players may be in Europe but the coach must understand, deeply, the mentality of the players. How can someone from outside do this?"
Blatter also believes African teams suffer from poor preparation.
While no African team made it past the quarter-final stage at the London Olympics, Blatter, speaking at the Games, believes the continent's sides at that level are more competitive than at senior level.
He said: "I have been analysing African football for quite a while now, more than the football from other continents… When they play at the U-23 level, African teams can match their opponents from other parts of the world.
"You may say that Europe do not pay the same level of attention to the Olympics. But no, I can tell you that Europe is not happy with their performance at this Olympic tournament.
Nigeria now have former Super Eagle Keshi in charge
"At the senior level, [African national associations] just do not prepare their teams properly.
"Look at how teams from other parts of the world prepare, the money spent and the effort that is applied in getting ready to compete. African associations sometimes hire coaches just months before a World Cup. This has to stop."
Of the six national sides that represented Africa at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, only Algeria had a local coach - Rabah Saadane.
Hosts South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria - who now have former Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi in charge - all had European or South American trainers in charge.
Meanwhile, Blatter insists that his current four-year term, which will see him spend 17 years as Fifa president, will be his last.
"In 2015, I will be 79 years old and would have spent 40 years in Fifa. That is enough… I have given everything I have to football," he said.
"I hope I can deliver Fifa to somebody who will have the qualities and aptitude to lead, to not forget what Fifa is - it is about the game for everybody, the world game.
"Fifa is not only for those who think that they are dominating football, the powerful countries and the big clubs."
Poor preparations cost Africa in London
If anything is to be re-learnt from the continent's chequered
performance at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, it remains an
uncomfortable, sobering, truth - that talent is no substitute for
meticulous long-term planning.
And Africa certainly has talent, as it has repeatedly proven over the years.
"African football, certainly, does not lack the talent to win, but its administrators must learn that they must plan," Fifa president Sepp Blatter told me while discussing the disappointing state of the African game.
"Other countries and continents take time to plan, and to strategise for success. African football must do the same."
From the golden glory of Nigeria and Cameroon in 1996 and 2000, respectively, and then Nigeria's silver at the Beijing Games four years ago, to 2012 - when no African side reached the last four of either the men's or women's events.
AFRICA'S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL MEDALLISTS
- 1992 Barcelona: Ghana men, Bronze
- 1996 Atlanta: Nigeria men, Gold
- 2000 Sydney: Cameroon men, Gold
- 2008 Beijing: Nigeria men, Silver
Of the six teams that represented the
continent in the men's and women's tournaments, only Senegal, who
defeated Uruguay 2-0, and Egypt, in beating Belarus 3-1, managed to get
wins in London.
Gabon and Morocco crashed out of the men's tournament
after the group stages, as did Cameroon and South Africa in the women's
event.
Of course, the general statistics mask the rather humiliating performances by the Indomitable Lionesses and Banyana Banyana, whose Olympic debuts leave them with full plates of food for thought.
Cameroon's comprehensive losses to Brazil (0-5), Great Britain (0-3) and New Zealand (1-3) respectively, and South Africa's losses to Sweden and Canada - scoring once while conceding seven - expose the huge gap the African women's game has to close.
"Our overall performance at this tournament is a clear indication that African football still has a lot of catching up to do," says Aliou Cisse, the 2002 World Cup defender who now works as assistant coach of Senegal's Olympic team.
"If we want success, then we have to plan for it and work very hard for it. That takes time and a lot of effort. There are no shortcuts."
But as Gabon coach Claude Mbourounot bluntly observes, following his team's first-round exit, those running African football at the national association and continental levels need to took a good look in the mirror.
"African football suffers from a lack of organisation and structure. We need to be organised," he said.
"We (those responsible for coaching and managing teams) are often frustrated by people and institutions that do not understand our administrative and technical needs."
" African football suffers from a lack of organisation and structure. We need to be organised" Gabon coach Claude Mbouronot
One of few African highlights at the Olympics was a spectacular goal from South Africa's Portia Modise
None of the two teams that represented the continent has a functioning women's league, as is the case in most African countries.
"In Africa, there are several people that even question the rationale for supporting women's football," says a visibly angry Lydia Nsekera, president of the Burundi Football Federation and the first woman in the 108-year history of Fifa to sit on the world governing body's executive committee.
"It is clear that without regular league competition for our women throughout the continent, there is no way our national teams will be able to effectively compete at tournaments like the Olympics."
After the disappointing performance of Africa at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where only Ghana's Black Stars made it to the knock-out stages of the competition, the Olympic failures serve as another timely reminder to the continent's administrative chiefs - reminding them that preparations off the pitch, as well as on it, are the only way the continent will conquer the mountaintop.
Blatter wants ban for Morganella in racism fight
"I hope he has gone home," Blatter told reporters after helping to launch a new FIFA initiative with Britain's Kick It Out anti-racism campaign.
"It's embarrassing for the whole of the football family. It's embarrassing for the Olympic Games and I support the fact he has been sent home.
"The FA of Switerland has to deal with this case and then I am sure it will be transmitted to us because it is an international match and of course he should be banned."
Swiss team chief Gian Gilli said on Monday that Morganella had "gravely insulted and violated" the dignity of South Korea after his team's 2-1 defeat a day earlier.
Blatter, speaking at Wembley before Britain's women faced Brazil in
their final group match in the women's soccer competition, pledged
FIFA's full support to battle all forms of racism in football and his
sentiments were backed by English FA chairman David Bernstein.
Bernstein was speaking a day after the FA charged Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand over a comment on Twitter which referred to Chelsea's Ashley Cole as a "choc ice".
Bernstein said there would be "tough consequences" for all types of poor behaviour in the future.
"We must continue to be tough as a regulatory body on sanctioning and disciplining inappropriate behaviour," he said.
"Wherever possible we must bring incidents of discriminatory abuse to charge and all participants must know the consequences of their actions.
"This goes for the twittersphere as much as on the pitch, in the stands and in the recuitment processes across football."
Bernstein was speaking a day after the FA charged Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand over a comment on Twitter which referred to Chelsea's Ashley Cole as a "choc ice".
Bernstein said there would be "tough consequences" for all types of poor behaviour in the future.
"We must continue to be tough as a regulatory body on sanctioning and disciplining inappropriate behaviour," he said.
"Wherever possible we must bring incidents of discriminatory abuse to charge and all participants must know the consequences of their actions.
"This goes for the twittersphere as much as on the pitch, in the stands and in the recuitment processes across football."
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Igesund aims to revitalise Bafana
New South Africa coach Gordon Igesund says his priority is to restore the team's self-belief and win back the country's support. -
Chelsea aim to emulate Chelsea
Berekum Chelsea hope to emulate their English namesake as the Ghanaians target African Champions League glory. -
African stars' exodus to China
The BBC's Stephen Fottrell explores why a number of top African footballers have left European clubs to play in China's top flight.
Moses would 'make it big' at Chelsea, says Mikel
The Nigerian lauded his fellow countryman ahead of a proposed move to west London as well as stating that the Blues "will beat" Manchester City in the Community Shield
And fellow Nigerian Mikel lauded the winger ahead of the proposed move, telling MTNFootball.com: "Victor Moses is a good player, we all saw what he did last season.
"I will gladly welcome him and make him feel at home if he comes here. It would be a good move for him and I am sure he will make it big here."
Chelsea have hit headlines this summer with the acquisitions of Eden and Thorgan Hazard, Brazil international Oscar and German attacking midfielder Marko Marin in a flurry of transfer activity ahead of Roberto Di Matteo's first full season in charge.
The club begin their season this Sunday with the Community Shield clash with Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park, and Mikel emphasised the importance of winning the season opener.
He added: "Whenever I am on the pitch, what comes to my mind is victory and that's my desire. To win the Community Shield will be good for us, it will put us in good mood ahead of the new season.
"We will get it right and beat City. I have won it before and I want to win it again."
Chelsea close in on Moses signing
Chelsea are nearing the signing of Wigan and Nigeria's Victor Moses after high-level talks between the clubs.
12:35
The Spanish giants are keen
to sign the Cameroon international this month but are unwilling to meet
the Gunners' £15 million valuation of the midfielder
South Sudan enter Fifa rankings
South Sudan are included in Fifa's world rankings
for the first time after playing their inaugural full international
last month.
The former Everton defender
described himself as "the happiest man in the world" after ending his
spell at Goodison Park to move permanently to Turkey following two years
on loan
15:45
The Pharaohs captain was
unhappy his side were reduced to 10 men against Japan but praises the
fight and performance they showed throughout the competition
09:48
The South African who has
returned to Merseyside from Tottenham man has expressed the hope that
the Toffees can keep their talismanic full-back at Goodison Park for
next season
12:17
The striker was tipped to
set World Cup 2006 alight, before his career stalled and you can read
more about him by purchasing Football Manager Stole My Life, available
on August 10
17:55
The powerful midfielder made almost 50 appearances for Rennes, scoring two goals, and attracted a host of European clubs
-
19:58The Senegal striker watched on as his country secured a point in their opener against Team GB on Thursday but admitted that he understood manager Alan Pardew's decision -
13:38The Ghanaian is one of many players who was predicted to reach big heights but never did - you can read more by purchasing Football Manager Stole My Life, available on August 10
African Confederation Cup 2012 
CAF Champions League 2012 Friday 17 Aug 2012 20:00 ASO Chlef - Algeria -- : -- Sunshine Stars - Nigeria Round: 4 
Stade Boumezrag Mohamed
Group A
Home match0 : 2 Away game score Saturday 18 Aug 2012 21:00 E.S. Sahel - Tunisia -- : -- Espérance Sportive de Tunis - Tunisia Round: 4 Stade Olympique Sousse
Group A
Home match0 : 1 Away game score Sunday 19 Aug 2012 14:00 Bechem Chelsea - Ghana -- : -- Al Ahly - Egypt Round: 4
Group B
Home match1 : 4 Away game score 20:00 Al Zamalek - Egypt -- : -- TP Mazembe - Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The Round: 4 Cairo International Stadium
Group B
Home match0 : 2 Away game score Friday 31 Aug 2012 18:00 E.S. Sahel - Tunisia -- : -- ASO Chlef - Algeria Round: 5 Stade Olympique Sousse
Group A
Home match1 : 0 Away game score Saturday 1 Sep 2012 18:00 Al Zamalek - Egypt -- : -- Bechem Chelsea - Ghana Round: 5 Cairo International Stadium
Group B
Home match2 : 3 Away game score Sunday 2 Sep 2012 13:30 TP Mazembe - Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The -- : -- Al Ahly - Egypt Round: 5 Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba
Group B
Home match1 : 2 Away game score 19:30 Espérance Sportive de Tunis - Tunisia -- : -- Sunshine Stars - Nigeria Round: 5 Stade El Menzah
Group A
Home match2 : 0 Away game score Friday 14 Sep 2012 Sunshine Stars - Nigeria -- : -- E.S. Sahel - Tunisia Round: 6
Group A
Home match0 : 0 Away game score 18:00 ASO Chlef - Algeria -- : -- Espérance Sportive de Tunis - Tunisia Round: 6 Stade Boumezrag Mohamed
Group A
Home match2 : 3 Away game score Sunday 16 Sep 2012 Bechem Chelsea - Ghana -- : -- TP Mazembe - Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The Round: 6
Group B
Home match2 : 2 Away game score 18:00 Al Ahly - Egypt -- : -- Al Zamalek - Egypt Round: 6 Cairo International Stadium
Group B
Home match1 : 0 Away game score Fifa executive committee member Lydia Nsekera has called for the introduction of professional women's leagues in Africa following the continent's poor showing at the London 2012 Olympics.
African women need professional leagues - Nsekera
"It is clear that without regular league competition for our women, throughout the continent, there is just no way our national teams will be able to effectively compete at tournaments like the Olympics," Nsekera told BBC Sport.
"They do not have the level of competition that can bring them to the needed level of performance. And they hardly have good friendly games, against top-quality opponents, with which to prepare for international tournaments."
Continue reading the main story“We do not take female football in Africa seriously enough. We cannot wait for the Olympics and World Cups before we expose our players”
South Africa women's football coach Joseph Mkhonza
Nsekera, who is also the president of the Burundi Football Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), continued: "All that is in addition to the fact that there is little or no funding for female football in Africa, compared to what the male teams get."Africa's two representatives, Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses and South Africa's Banyana Banyana, failed to make it out of their groups.
Cameroon lost 5-0 to Brazil, 3-0 to Team GB and 3-1 to New Zealand, while South Africa lost 4-1 to Sweden, 3-0 to Canada - although they did achieve a creditable 0-0 draw with world champions Japan.
"In Africa, there are people who even question the rationale for funding female football, " added Nsekera. "But I am confident that with the right encouragement, women's football will evolve and reach the level of the men.
"Since most African female footballers cannot concentrate on the game full-time and have other commitments, they are unable to give the sport the attention it needs. We need to change that," said Nsekera, who is the first woman in Fifa's 108-year history to sit on its executive committee.
Nsekera's views are shared by South Africa midfielder Kylie Louw.
"In South Africa, we have no regular competition. Most of the players are in school and others have other jobs. We do not concentrate on the game, like our colleagues in Europe. Just playing against some of the top players in the world was a privilege for us," she said.
South Africa women's football coach Joseph Mkhonza conceded that the Olympic stage was "too big" for Banyana Banyana.
He told BBC Sport: "We do not take female football in Africa seriously enough. African teams cannot compete against the top teams in the world if our players are not exposed to them consistently, in high-level games. We cannot wait for the Olympics and World Cups before we expose our players."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter also agreed that the performance of the female African teams at the Olympics was poor. But he told BBC Sport that he expected a rapid improvement once national federations across the continent took the game seriously.
"There are professional leagues in the north of the continent and this must also be done elsewhere," he said.
"I found it strange that none of them qualified [for the Olympics]. Proper organisation, domestically, for women's football is the key for getting better performances internationally."
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