Congrats France, congrats Africa

Western Bureau:

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is now history, and while I was backing the Croatian team in the grand finale, I can't say I am too disappointed that France won, especially since the team is made up of predominantly players with African roots.

In fact, based on some of the things I have read about some of the black French players since the conclusion of the World Cup, I can't help but feel somewhat guilty for not supporting them because it would appear that they are not only excellent footballers but also classy humanitarians.

I was particularly moved when I read that sensational striker Kylian Mbappe, who is just 19 years old, had the maturity to realise that, in the words of Emperor Haile Selassie, "The fortunate few should look out for the unfortunate many," by donating his entire earning from the World Cup to a charity for children with disabilities.

In fact, in reading the life stories of many of the players and the struggles and sacrifices their families made in seeking to build their lives in France, one gets the sense that these folks are perhaps the best advert to debunk the claims of persons like United States President Donald Trump, who seems to have very little sympathy for immigrants, especially those from poor countries.

While I rarely subscribe to things that are frivolous, I can't help but admire the creativity of some of the persons who have been heaping praise on the French team. I really had a good laugh when I read an account of a fan describing France as the United African team. The writer went on to state than FRANCE really meant F - former, R - residents of, A - Africa, N - now, C - called, E - Europeans.

While the creativity of the writer might not be accurately reflecting what France means, it is nonetheless difficult to argue with such a person when he is able to trace the origins of the black French players as follows:

- Steve Mandanda (goalkeeper): born in the Congo.

- Presnel Kimpembe: born in France to a Congolese father and a Haitian mother

- Samuel Umtiti: born in the Cameroon

- Adil Rami: born in France to Moroccan parents

- Djibril Sidibe: born in France to parents of Malian descent

- Benjamin Mendy: born in France to parents of Senegalese descent

- Paul Pogba: born in France to Guinean parents

- Thomas Lemar: born in France of Nigerian/Guadeloupe descent;

- Corentin Tolisso: born in France with a father of Togolese descent

- N'Golo Kante: born in France to Malian parents

- Blaise Matuidi: born in France to an Angolan father and a Congolese mother

- Steven Nzonzi: born in France to parents of Congo descent.

- Kylian Mbappe: born in France to a Cameroonian father and an

Algerian mother

- Ousmane Dembele: born in France to a Nigerian/Malian father and a

Mauritanian/Senegalese mother

- Nabil Fekir: born in France to parents of Algerian descent.

While not seeking to put too strong a racial spin on the World Cup, since one of its primary objectives is to promote global unity, it should nonetheless be interesting to note that, except for Croatia, the teams (France, England and Belgium) that advanced to the competition's semi-finals phase all had very strong black representation.

It should be interesting to note that one of the defining features about the teams with black players was the great athleticism which they brought to the table. Clearly, the speed displayed by players like Raheem Sterling (England), Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) and Mbappe might well have reignited the debate about whether or not black athletes are naturally more gifted in terms of their athleticism than players from other races.

Having seen how speed has impacted the World Cup, I believe with Jamaica's rich history in producing world-class sprinters, the national football coaches might do well in seeking to add this component to our football. In fact, it should be noted that in the two Gold Cup tournaments in which we did exceptionally well, one of the great strengths was the speed we utilised, especially in attack.

While I remain sceptical about our ability to quality for any World Cup tournament in the near future because of our many structural weaknesses, which include poor playing facilities, a very weak club structure and a tame youth programme, outside of schoolboy football, a reasonable mind could argue that, if we did it in 1998, we could do it again.

I don't know if it was because I was a wagonist this time around, but I found the tournament most enjoyable as I was able to watch each game in a relaxed way. In fact, I am tempted to say this tournament rank in the top three tournaments of all times, alongside the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, which were both hosted by Mexico.