The History of Soccer in Africa

Soccer in Africa has grown and developed through decades of hardship and struggle, to the point where today it is recognized as the continent's official sport. There are over 1.8 million soccer players in Africa, and millions more watch games both live and on television. In this guide, you will learn more about the history of soccer in Africa.

Soccer has made great strides since the United South African Football Association was formed in 1991. The Association has established the infrastructure necessary to provide an outlet for people's love of the game, and they have brought it out of the oppressive past into an era of prosperity. During the past decade, Africa has established its place in the global soccer community, having a team entered in every FIFA and CAF tournament. The African team has qualified for the World Cup finals many times, and the heroes of the soccer pitch often become those of the entire country.

Today, Africa is united in its passion for soccer, from the spectators that crowd into stadiums to support Bafana Bafana, to the boys who play pickup games wherever there is an open space. Africa was a great success this year when it hosted the 2010 World Cup. There is great economic opportunity in soccer, and it can provide great benefit to the country, but in Africa, it's not about money, it's about pure love of the game.

The African passion for soccer held steady throughout the dark days of apartheid, and now that South Africa is democratic, the game can grow and thrive. The roots of African soccer reach back to the 19th century, when the game's rules reflected the racial divisiveness that was then prevalent in the country. The FASA, or Football Association of South Africa, was founded in 1982, and other associations were founded in 1903, 1933, and 1936. Africans were united on the field, but still had to play according to national laws on race.

The geographic nature of African soccer was ironclad, where whites played in their own clubs that were heavily geared toward Europe, and where blacks had to make do with rudimentary facilities and funding. In 1958, FIFA formally recognized the "white" soccer association, FASA, and the National Football League was launched in 1959 as the country's first professional club.

In 1961, FASA did allow some black players to gain entry, and when FIFA suspended the South African contingent in 1962, the governing body set up an interracial match between the Germiston Callies and the African Pirates. FASA was trying to bring about racial change on the soccer pitch, but their efforts were unsuccessful. South Africa was suspended from FIFA again in 1964, after a game erupted into riots.

Soccer continues to thrive in business towns across Africa as people come together to salute their heroes. Some of the soccer stars of the past are heading up bids for the World Cup, and others are continuing the work to build racial harmony via their work on the soccer pitch. There is a long history of racial division in Africa, but the game of soccer is serving to bridge the gap.