When Football Unites and When It Tears Nations Apart

Passion fuels joy and chaos; one match can dissolve borders while another can ignite decades-old tensions. How much unity is real?

Hope's Beautiful Game

A packed stadium. A last-minute goal. A nation erupts in joy. Football in Africa isn’t just a game, it’s a shared pulse, a language spoken across borders. Streets fill with celebration, strangers become brothers, and the divides of ethnicity, politics, and class momentarily disappear. But how deep does this unity go?

During the AFCON 2025 qualifier, Nigeria’s national team was stranded at Al-Abraq Airport in Libya for over 20 hours without basic amenities. The match was canceled. Days later, Nigerian residents in Libya faced retaliation. A sport meant to bring people together became another battleground.

Football has the power to unite, but it can also deepen divisions. Research suggests that national team victories can shift identities—citizens who once saw themselves through an ethnic lens suddenly embrace a national identity. Countries that qualify for major tournaments often experience a dip in violence, at least for a while. But the same sport that fuels national pride also exposes deep cracks in African society.

Poor stadium conditions lead to CAF sanctions. Infrastructure failures prevent nations from hosting major tournaments. Political tensions overshadow football’s potential as a force for cohesion. Even as the African Union champions the sport as a tool for unity, reality tells a different story.

The promise remains undeniable. The reach is unmatched. But does football truly unite, or does the illusion fade once the final whistle blows? Football’s ability to unite people isn’t just an abstract idea, millions experience this firsthand.

During AFCON 2023, Nigeria’s semi-final clash against South Africa became more than a game. A moment of collective intensity unfolded, drawing 10.3 million viewers across SuperSport and The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). For those watching, politics and ethnicity faded into the background. The Super Eagles, the green jerseys, and the possibility of victory took center stage.

Numbers like these highlight football’s power to capture attention, but the influence stretches further. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa wasn’t just an event; history was made. The first World Cup on African soil drew 3.18 million spectators and reached 3.2 billion viewers globally. Nelson Mandela’s words, “It is time,” became more than a declaration, embodying a moment of continental achievement.

But unity through football doesn’t always happen organically. Sometimes, a voice like Didier Drogba’s is needed to push the sport beyond entertainment. When Côte d’Ivoire’s national team qualified for the 2006 World Cup, the country was in turmoil. Drogba’s televised plea: "Please lay down your weapons and hold elections", helped secure a temporary truce. The national team’s decision to play in Bouaké, a rebel stronghold, reinforced the message: football could be a symbol of reconciliation.

Other leaders have recognized this potential. Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi used football to rebuild fractured communities, integrating the sport into peace efforts. Thabo Mbeki in South Africa advocated for its role in post-conflict recovery. In Liberia, George Weah transitioned from football icon to head of state, using his platform to engage marginalized youth and push for justice, even calling for a war crimes court in 2004 as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Moments of continental pride continue to emerge. Morocco’s deep 2022 FIFA World Cup run represented more than one country - Africa proved itself on the world stage. AFCON, held every two years, brings together 24 nations and an estimated 2 billion viewers, reinforcing a shared identity. Survey data reflects this impact, with many Africans expressing a stronger sense of national belonging through their teams.

Yet, the sport’s potential remains entangled in deeper issues. Infrastructure failures, poor stadium conditions, and political tensions still limit progress. But one thing is clear: when the whistle blows and the game begins, divisions momentarily fade, replaced by something bigger than any individual.

Playing with Fire

Football isn’t just a sport; it’s a battlefield where national pride, politics, and history collide.

Libya’s treatment of Nigeria’s national team during the 2025 AFCON qualifier turned what should have been a routine match into a diplomatic crisis. A 20-hour ordeal at Al-Abraq Airport left Nigerian players without basic amenities, leading to the match’s cancellation. What started as a sporting dispute spiraled into official condemnations and retaliatory actions, proving once again that football can inflame tensions as easily as it fosters unity.

This wasn't new. In 2009, Egypt and Algeria faced off in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier, but the real battle took place off the pitch. Egyptian fans attacked Algeria’s team bus in Cairo after their defeat, triggering years of diplomatic strain, cyber-attacks, and national outrage on both sides. The fallout extended well beyond the game, showing how deeply football intertwines with national identity.

Regional rivalries magnify these conflicts. The ongoing political dispute between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara has seeped into football, with Algeria refusing to let Morocco’s RS Berkane play in jerseys featuring a map that included the contested region. Every match between these nations carries an unspoken political weight, reflecting tensions that diplomacy alone has failed to resolve.

At the club level, the stakes are just as high. Cairo’s Al Ahly vs. Zamalek isn’t just a derby, it’s a city divided. The same goes for the Soweto Derby between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. These matches aren’t just about bragging rights; they can spark riots, damage property, and fuel deeper societal divisions.

National team competitions raise the stakes even higher. When qualification for a major tournament is on the line, tensions between nations can escalate rapidly. Libya’s Football Federation's appeal against CAF’s decision to award Nigeria a 3-0 victory isn’t just about the result but also national pride, political standing, and international recognition.

Passion for football fuels unity, but it also sharpens existing fractures. The final whistle rarely signals the end. Instead, the echoes of these matches continue in diplomatic statements, online discourse, and national consciousness, shaping relationships long after the players leave the field.

Game-Changing Moves

Weak governance and fragile infrastructure continue to hold African football back. When Nigeria’s national team was stranded in Libya for 20 hours, the problem wasn’t just an isolated diplomatic issue but a reflection of broader administrative failures. Poor coordination, lack of investment, and inconsistent policies have created a system where such incidents aren’t rare but expected.

History shows that change often comes through protest. In 1966, African nations boycotted the World Cup, demanding fairer representation. The result? FIFA expanded World Cup slots for non-European teams, permanently altering global football. CAF, established in 1957, has since worked alongside FIFA to shape the game on the continent. Yet, despite these gains, serious governance challenges remain.

Money isn’t always the issue, how it’s managed is. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa saw $3 billion poured into infrastructure, proving that large-scale investment is possible. But most African nations struggle to maintain even basic facilities. Many clubs rely on government support or private donations, leading to underfunded training programs, neglected stadiums, and limited resources for young talent. Countries facing economic hardship often prioritize essential services over sports, even though well-managed football investments could boost tourism, trade, and national pride.

AFCON regularly exposes these logistical failures. The 2023 tournament saw severe travel disruptions—high costs and poor flight availability made it difficult for teams, officials, and fans to move between host cities. The Gambian national team’s flight incident, where players fainted due to cabin pressure loss, highlighted the safety risks of inadequate infrastructure. Even finding affordable accommodation became a struggle, limiting accessibility for many supporters.

A well-organized tournament can be a diplomatic tool, strengthening ties between nations. But without reliable infrastructure and competent management, these opportunities slip away. Corruption, misallocation of funds, and lack of long-term planning continue to undermine African football’s potential.

Consistent standards, ethical leadership, and practical investments could change this. Nations that commit to safe, efficient, and transparent sporting events create real opportunities—not just for football but for economic growth and cultural exchange. The challenge isn’t just building stadiums; it’s ensuring football serves as a unifying force rather than another reminder of institutional failure.

Stronger policies and enforcement mechanisms could redefine African football administration. UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations have curbed reckless spending in Europe, demonstrating how financial oversight fosters stability. A tailored approach for African leagues could address chronic mismanagement, ensuring that clubs and national teams operate with accountability. Transparent budgeting, salary caps, and independent audits might curb the financial irregularities that plague many federations.

Youth academies offer a blueprint for sustainable reform. Ghana’s Right to Dream has produced world-class talent while emphasizing education and leadership. Unlike short-term scouting programs, these institutions create well-rounded players who contribute beyond the sport. More structured academies across Africa could bridge the gap between raw talent and professional success, reducing player dependence on European clubs for career development.

Regional tournaments serve as diplomatic tools. The East African Community Games unites teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, proving that competition can foster collaboration. Expanding these initiatives could deepen relationships between neighboring countries while strengthening domestic leagues. AFCON, despite its organizational flaws, remains a unifying force. Standardizing hosting requirements and travel logistics could prevent recurring issues like the disruptions faced during the 2023 tournament.

Diplomatic protocols within football governance need urgent reform. The chaos surrounding Nigeria’s stranded players in Libya underscored a lack of established contingency plans. Clear guidelines on travel arrangements, emergency response measures, and cross-border cooperation would prevent such incidents from escalating. Without structured policies, diplomatic tensions will continue to overshadow the game itself.

FIFA, CAF, and the African Union wield significant influence over how national federations operate. Coordinated efforts between these institutions could elevate football’s role in diplomacy, turning matches into opportunities for dialogue rather than sources of conflict. Standardized dispute resolution mechanisms and regular inter-federation discussions would allow issues to be addressed before they strain political relations.

Football has long been Africa’s great unifier, but unity is fragile when mismanagement, weak infrastructure, and political tensions creep into the game. Passion for the sport has sparked moments of national pride, from Nelson Mandela’s declaration of “It is time” in 2010 to Morocco’s historic World Cup run in 2022. Yet the same passion has fueled diplomatic conflicts, like Libya’s treatment of Nigeria’s national team during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers or the long-standing tensions between Algeria and Morocco that spill onto the pitch.

The problem isn’t football itself, it’s how the sport is handled. Governance failures have left national teams stranded, club football underfunded, and continental tournaments plagued by logistical chaos. AFCON 2023 exposed these weaknesses, with teams facing flight shortages, safety hazards, and overpriced accommodations. Even at the grassroots level, youth academies like Ghana’s Right to Dream remain the exception rather than the rule. Without structured pathways, young African talent is often forced abroad, strengthening foreign leagues while local ones stagnate.

Stronger policies could shift this trajectory. Financial oversight, fair dispute resolution, and better coordination between FIFA, CAF, and the African Union would prevent crises before they erupt. Standardizing infrastructure requirements for major tournaments would stop each event from feeling like a reinvention of the wheel. Investment in domestic leagues would allow players to thrive at home instead of seeking opportunities overseas.

None of this will happen overnight. But the alternative, allowing mismanagement to overshadow the sport’s potential, means African football will remain an arena for political disputes rather than a vehicle for unity. Football alone won’t unite the continent, but how it is governed will decide whether it becomes a force for cohesion or another arena of division. The game itself is not the solution; the way it is managed will determine its role in Africa’s future.