1982 World Cup

AFC, watch out

By Clem Oluwole

Talking about the Eagles’ preparation for the crucial two-legged battle with Algeria brings me to one matter which has been bothering me for quite sometime now. And the matter centres on the racists’ friends, New Zealand.

Following closely New Zealand’s performances in the 1982 World Cup Asia-Oceanic Group One qualifying race, the New Zealanders are sure to emerge as qualifiers from that group. Then they will meet Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and China in the play-offs later in the year to decide the two qualifiers for Spain.

The New Zealanders are in a good shape judging by their scoring ability. In eight matches, they scored 31 goals and conceded only 3. Other nations in their group are Australia, Fiji, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Against Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and China, I can see the racists’ friends emerging as one of the two qualifiers for Spain.

The poser for the African Football Confederation (AFC) is should New Zealand qualify for Spain, what stand will it take? African countries have been consistently boycotting world sporting competitions because of New Zealand. Bluntly put, if the New Zealanders qualify to go to Spain, will Africa ask FIFA to bar New Zealand or Africa will withdraw from Espana ’82? The AFC had better put this across to the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA).

Already, Taiwan has called for the expulsion of New Zealand from the race because of its fraternization with South Africa in the field of sports.



(Culled from Saturday Commentary, first published on August 29, 1981).