While the skills of players can be observed on pitches throughout Africa, the actions of those who run the game's administrative side are less visible. Based on anthropological fieldwork in Ghana... Show moreWhile the skills of players can be observed on pitches throughout Africa, the actions of those who run the game's administrative side are less visible. Based on anthropological fieldwork in Ghana and Cameroon, this study's main characters are rich and powerful men who take up positions within clubs and football associations. Through their involvement in football, these African "Big Men" convert symbolic, social and economic capital. In other words, they transform the game's popularity into status and prestige, political power and business opportunities. To this end, they maintain power within football administration through patronage politics. They also tend to resort to foul play. Match-fixing, juju, intimidation and age cheats are some of the methods these Big Men employ in order to achieve their goals. Show less
Footballers Essomba and Ashu, team manager Kalla and spiritual adviser Zé are the key characters in this anthropological study of football in Cameroon, which is based on research carried out in... Show moreFootballers Essomba and Ashu, team manager Kalla and spiritual adviser Zé are the key characters in this anthropological study of football in Cameroon, which is based on research carried out in 2003. It might seem that a well-organized club with professional executives, a team of talented players and an experienced coach would be sufficient to win a match. However, a successful team also requires a powerful African 'big man' of specific ethnic affiliation, a considerable budget for 'motivation' (bribery) and the right kind of spiritual assistance (magic). But even then internal struggles within the club and team caused by corrupt executives, coach's players and godfathers, witchcraft and sorcery, and/or other factors such as spectator violence may mean that the team still loses. The book consist of seven chapters that correspond to the days of the week. During this week, Olympique de Buea is preparing for a match on Sunday. Each chapter is devoted to one theme: 'Monday' is about the different football leagues in Cameroon; 'Tuesday' deals with expenditures, club sponsorship and the role of the African big man; 'Wednesday' discusses tribalism in the football leagues and the teams; 'Thursday' explains aspects of bribery, nepotism and corruption; 'Friday' elaborates on the spiritual forces in football, particularly witchcraft and sorcery within the clubs; 'Saturday' focuses on match preparation and the role of spiritual advisers; and 'Sunday' discusses a match between Olympique de Buea and Bamboutos de Mbouda, and considers the role of ancestors, supporters and referees during football matches. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
