Politicians mess up Guinea football

By MARK GLEESON

The crisis over Guinea's suspension from the world footballing community is another glaring example of the youth of Africa being let down by short-sighted politicians.

Guinea was once the powerhouse in African soccer, with clubs like Hafia of Conakry dominating the club competitions across the continent and the national team "the Sylli National" was a team to be feared.

Guinea's footballers are the innocent victims and glorious opportunities will disappear, maybe never to come round again

Now Guinea have been suspended by Fifa.

The reason: The sports minister was unhappy with the recent results of the team in both their World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers and fired the entire football federation because of what was termed "poor performances".

Unacceptable behaviour

It was an emotive act, a day after Guinea lost vital ground in the World Cup chase after surrendering a one-goal lead in their qualifier at home to Malawi in late January and ended up drawing the game 1-1.

Friday's deadline proved to be a showdown between Sangare's ego and the future of football in Guinea

Sports minister Abdelkader Sangare kicked out the federation's office bearers and ordered new elections which brought to power a new regime.

This, of course, is unacceptable these days to Fifa, who twice demanded that Guinea reinstate the elected officials or face the threat of sanction.

Friday's deadline proved to be a showdown between Sangare's ego and the future of football in Guinea.

Costly confrontation

The cost of the ban is considerable.

The national side was - until the ban - strongly placed in the World Cup qualifiers and could well have taken over the lead of group E again if their match with South Africa had not been thrown into serious doubt.

Guinea are also just one point off the lead at the halfway stage of the African Nations Cup qualifiers and have been heavily fancied to qualify for Mali 2000.

Now all that has been thrown away.

Simply, these politicians who have taken on Fifa and lost, have done a lot of damage to their own country

Guinea's under-17 side, who have been brilliant at the African youth championship in the Seychelles, have become the first victims of the Fifa versus Guinea row.

They have been withdrawn from Saturday's final against Nigeria.

This means that they have lost their place at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago in September.

Politicians' game

Simply, these politicians who have taken on Fifa and lost, have done a lot of damage to their own country.

The government has lost a great chance for national achievement.

An opportunity to exhibit national pride and profile is lost too.

We wait to see what will transpire next but I will be surprised if the minister backs down.

If he does, he loses face and is subject to ridicule.

If he doesn't, Guinea's footballers will become the innocent victims and glorious opportunities will disappear, maybe never to come round again.