The FIFA Women Football WorldFiesta just ends in Lyon, France, the past minute and I reach for a pen. The
month-long competition was the latest version of the improved feat of football,thanks to France. The FIFA Women Football World Cup is also quadrennial likethe FIFA World Cup and France 2019 is the eighth edition, opening on June 7 atthe Parc De Princes in Paris and closing at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, July7.FIFA decreed that the senior women world cup to run same year with the under 20 Women Football World Cup. Remember, France also hosted that one earlier this year. Twenty four teams qualified for the finals of this seniors’ battle foot, drawn from all the continents. Oceania had only one rep – New Zealand. Africa, North America, South America all had three. Asia had five, and hold it! Europe had nine. I don’t know the reason but perhaps because it is the origin of the game.
But then so it has beenfor long, in all FIFA competitions; no murmur was ever heard. So this is justby the way. Apologies to FIFA and to big sister Europe. It is not an issue. Itshouldn’t. Not at this point. The difference is too much a gap.
But then the love for thegame and the meticulous, colourful staging of the competitions will always make the world closer than everdivided over the domination of European countries, it is well, and France 2019is now gone. Who then is the next host?
France 2019 was amazing.It was remarkable in every way – organisation, attendance and others.Attendance was almost two million with an average of 38 thousand per match. Fiftymatches played in nine venues, opening in Paris and closing in Lyonne.
A total of 146 goalsscored, averaging three per match. And three players: Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan(USA) and Lioness Ellen White, England’s heart of attack shared the golden bootprize, something I haven’t see in world cups before.
It tells much about theyear’s edition of the Women World Cup. Different players received 124 yellow bookings but the discipline of theteams made only four red cards, with no serious injuries. Europe also dominatedwith the highest number of referees.
Matches were managed with great skills andcare. Thanks to the VAR, which was meticulous from the centre in Paris, untiltwo of Africa’s reps – Cameroun and Nigeria’s round 16 knockout, elicited biasagainst the minnows.
The new rule of the goalkeeper must have atleast a foot on the goal-line was technically used to make it easier for Franceto edge Naija and England to elbow neighbours Cameroun. Europe came intomention as the organisers’ favourite. But it wasn’t Europe that won it.
The Netherlands lost thefinal to the USA on Europe’s own soil. Sweden followed third, beating England2-1, means that Phil Neville’s girls won’t be at the Olympics in Japan nextyear. The three winners only, will. The world observed a sad day the eveningthe host, The Blueues of Francereceived the knock.
It is always bad when thehost losses. It takes away something. Attendance dropped fast as it alsofollowed when Egypt left the Afcon 2019. Afcon’s quarter finals played at thebiggest venues – The Cairo International and the Cairo City – were as empty as thefinal of the France 2019 was moved to Lyonne to avoid the signs of emptiness atthe Parc Des Princes.
It is the US’ secondtitle, back to back (20015 and 2019 and their fourth in history of the FIFAWFWCtitle. It is the best national side in the world, ranking tallest; latest. Themonth’s win was a huge national remark, having happened four days only afterJuly 4.
Alex Morgan was full, haleand loud that day on twitter: “happy birthday America”. I was like, “it is not‘birthday’, gurl. It is birthdate: July 4. The message was heard but sure notenough to douse the mixed feeling of blacks across America, for Trump-pushedrising racism. Rapinoe is now stronger with a reason to go to the White Houseto tell Trump to better.
Africa’s third rep, debutant South Africa failed to cross the line to R16. They played three lost three with no goal but eight concessions. Thank God, Supersports didn’t use the button of monopoly of broadcast right in Nigeria to break the transmission or discontinue subsequent matches.
The former Bafana Bafana players who hung the bootsand now analysts were so proud and humble in loss. They say it is a stage inthe life of the national side and they will improve on it. True. They arelikely to do better with more appearances ahead.
It was Naija’s eighth WorldCup attended every, since the competition started. But this is the best outing.With every edition, the Falconets get better. Together with South African,Naija should celebrate their improvement in FIFA world ranking of women footballnational sides. Aziza wasn’t impressive but number 10 bearer anywhere anytimeis a big-heart.
organisation and thedevelopment of the teams with every match was so remarkable that FIFA PresidentInfantino is quick to announce that the prize money for the world womenfootball feat is will be double to £48M, months after this year’s prize wasdouble to £28M.
The USA and theNetherlands have beaten 22 other national sides to play the final, and theworld’s most successful female side wins it for the fourth time – 1999, 2003,2015 and now – making it the second to win it back to back for the first time.Women have come of age. Women football has come to stay.
I have followed thematches – live and replay – and I find that football is an interesting game butmore special when women play it. God will forgive my eyes’ distractions fromthe boots on the ball to other matters in play – the thighs, the chests, thehinds – and other side attractions. But on a serious note, France 2019 producedmore intense, better games than the Total Afcon – Egypt 2019.
Infantino also says thecurrent structure of 24 teams will also expand to 32 and hosting right biddersare to consider structures to accommodate the additions, which means that is done.It may be Qatar 2023, and that means the competition is going east to inspireArab and Muslim girls in other parts of the world to consider playing theworld’s most famous game.
Why not? If only FIFA’sinnovations will also include allowing some long trousers and fitted head tiesto cover the hair as Islam demands. Afterall, goalkeepers wore something likethat only as recent as Peter Rufai’s good time of good memory.
It will be too good an idea to preoccupy ourmany girls in and out of school unmarried and jobless, in Naija and over Africa.I am thinking, I see them out of the many bad things, some much good comes.
But on a second thought, I think that some of us will soon take their arsenals to shout: football is not for women, no matter the reforms and concessions. I hear you. But what is the alternative. There must be one but.
Hassan Alhaji Hassan can be contacted on 08032829772/08050551220 (text only with full names and address)a[email protected]
The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect WikkiTimes’ editorial stance.
