Ghana’s second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has allayed Africa’s poor performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup to corruption.
Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and Egypt all failed to progress to the round 16 stage in the Russia hosted tourney. It is the first time any of the continent’s representatives failed to reach the second round since 1982.
For most football fans, it is the low mentality of African teams at global competitions but the astute legislator asserts that corruption is the main reason for the abysmal results from the national sides.
“Systemic corruption in Africa means that most people who are more qualified to be selected into our national teams do not get the opportunity,” said Bagbin.
“Team slots are sold to the highest bidders.”
“You may get away with it in your little corner, but when you reach a place like the World Cup where others have only selected their players on merit, you will be exposed,” he said during an interaction with journalists.
Ghana failed to qualify to the World Cup after appearing for three consecutive times.
