The corona virus pandemic has slumbered the planet by the fourth month into the year 2020.This has obliterated sports events and forced suspensions, postponements and outright cancellations of games. Affecting African football in massive ways.
A sporting calendar that promised so much has instead become a series of blank weeks and months as events succumb to postponements and cancellations. The Olympics, African Women’s Cup of Nations, European Championships, African Athletics Championship, and the CHAN tournaments have all been cancelled because of the pandemic.
Money dry ups affecting African football
Players, coaches, clubs and federations are now experiencing money dry ups as there are no live sports around the world. Across African continent, this has presented so many challenges. In Africa, football is life, the moment football stops, life also stops.
Football is the African most popular sport. The passion does not easily translate to attractive bank balance even in normal times when compared to the leagues across the world. In accordance to KPL, one of East Africa’s top leagues, about 50% of its players cash in about $200 dollars. This leaves the players depend on the match bonuses, travelling allowances and the winning bonuses. Now that there are no games to play, all these are a thing of the past.
Fan contributions
The player’s monthly salary is fixed in Cameroon. But every player have the protection of a guideline that has standardized a minimum wage at $200 a month.
Coton sports are the only government run cub in Cameroon’s premier league. The players reveal that things are not well since most of the clubs revenues come from tickets. And other match day fan payments.
Women football hit
Clubs that usually get higher pay unlike to the rest like in South Africa. And North Africa are also experiencing difficulties in place. In Egypt, top clubs like El Gouna Arab Contractors, Pyramids have announced pay cuts on player’s. Egypt’s sport ministry have said that Egypt’s elite clubs needed financial help.
Female footballers have also been hit by this difficulty. The players in Africa earns on average $100 a month or less. This reason why you will ever see them have second jobs since the wage is not enough.
In the world’s top football leagues, African players are also having the pay cuts. Even in England home of Premier League. The clubs have asked players to accept wage deferrals.
Despite of all the difficulties, some positive measures are in aid. These measures aims to curb the devastating effects of the outbreak and cushion the issues. Several Africa Football associations have already taken advantage of this and are contributing their own funds.
Contract run-downs
Some measures across the continent include players contributing some of the wages to covid funds. Individuals have also approved half of their salaries to the player’s .The vast majority of clubs and players are already feeling the squeeze.
While health and safety of professionals is of utmost priority, without back up plans. The financial drought for African footballers will continue.
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