A Serbian football commentator, Rade Bogdanovic, was hauled over the coals for his racist remarks during a live World Cup match this past week. The bonehead Bogdanovic, a retired striker who played for Atlético Madrid and Werder Bremen, drew heavy criticism from local and international media for questioning black players’ concentration span, suggesting that they lose concentration in the latter stages of matches.
He later apologised for his nonsensical claptrap. This was one of the most heartbreaking weeks as an African, watching the World Cup.
By the time you read this, some of the players that we were arguing about and screaming their names on top of our voices will already be on a holiday break and downing their cocktails and sundowners.
After the number of CAF representatives at the tournament was increased to 10, there was a huge outcry that the tournament was being diluted, as undeserving and unworthy countries were given a pass.
Well, the African countries dispelled the narrative – they held their own in the group stages and qualified for the knockout round en masse. Only one country, Tunisia, failed to get out of the first round.
The knockout cycle started, and Bafana Bafana were the first to bite the dust. After a compelling performance against Canada, the north Americans snatched a victory deep in injury time when the South Africans were already preparing themselves for extra time. It was all over in a whiff, and there was no opportunity to fight back or to try and rescue the match.
A few days later, Senegal and DR Congo joined Ivory Coast as the three countries that were packing their bags and departing from the World Cup.
On Tuesday, the Elephants of Ivory Coast fell 2-1 to Norway. Senegal were leading Belgium 2-0 with less than five minutes on the clock but they squandered the opportunity and ended up losing 3-2 and going home.
DR Congo led England for the bulk of the match until Harry Kane destroyed them with a goal as full-time approached.
Ivory Coast too lost their focus with only three minutes to go and the Norwegian Vikings pounced and slayed them.
This means that the three countries, touted to go far in the competition, lost their matches in the most crucial phase of the game. Morocco is the only team so far from the Motherland that has booked their
ticket to the Last-16 after they nailed the Netherlands 3-2 via penalty kicks.
Football analyst Saddick Adams calls it the “African Football Disease”, and he is wondering who “has the cure for this last-minute faltering” from the African countries.
Adams argues: “Since Italia ’90, where Cameroon led England 2-1 for most of the quarterfinals but succumbed very late in the game to lose 3-2; African teams have conceded over 20 decisive goals after the 75th minute or in extra time at the World Cup.”
Approximately 15 World Cup matches have seen an African side lose points or be eliminated because of a goal scored in the final 10 minutes or extra time.
“The teams most affected are Ghana (2010, 2014, 2022); Cameroon (1990, among others); and Morocco (1970, 1986, 1998).”
He puts his point across that in the 2026 World Cup alone:
- Ivory Coast 87’ conceded from leading.
- DRC 86’ conceded from leading.
- Senegal 86’ conceded leading.
- South Africa 90+2’ conceded.
“This means that every time a CAF team took the lead or equalised, they ended up conceding late. This unwanted record offers every opponent a superior psychological edge to the effect that even if they are down 3-0 against an African side, they’re not out. He sums it up, saying that the disease is called a “mentality block”.
“If we are going to continue in this manner, then we are empowering the likes of Bogdanovic with the licence and the ammunition to say that I told you so, and they reprimanded me for telling the truth and saying it like it is. Africa can do better.”
- Serbian football commentator Rade Bogdanovic faced severe backlash for racist comments during a live World Cup match.
- Bogdanovic questioned the concentration span of black players, implying they lose focus in the later parts of games.
- He is a retired striker who previously played for Atlético Madrid and Werder Bremen.
- The remarks sparked widespread criticism from both local and international media outlets.
- The incident has intensified discussions on racism in football commentary and sports media.
A Serbian football commentator, Rade Bogdanovic, was hauled over the coals for his racist remarks during a live World Cup match this past week.
He later apologised for his nonsensical claptrap.
By the time you read this, some of the players that we were arguing about and screaming their names on top of our voices will already be on a holiday break and downing their cocktails and sundowners.
After the number of CAF representatives at the tournament was increased to 10, there was a huge outcry that the tournament was being diluted, as undeserving and unworthy countries were given a pass.
Well, the African countries dispelled the narrative – they held their own in the group stages and qualified for the knockout round en masse. Only one country, Tunisia, failed to get out of the first round.
A few days later, Senegal and DR
On Tuesday, the Elephants of Ivory Coast fell 2-1 to Norway. Senegal were leading Belgium 2-0 with less than five minutes on the clock but they squandered the opportunity and ended up losing 3-2 and going home.
DR
Ivory Coast too lost their focus with only three minutes to go and the Norwegian
ticket to the Last-16 after they nailed the
Football analyst Saddick Adams calls it the “African Football Disease”, and he is wondering who “has the cure for this last-minute faltering” from the African countries.
Adams argues: “Since Italia ’90, where Cameroon led
Approximately 15 World Cup matches have seen an African side lose points or be eliminated because of a goal scored in the final 10 minutes or extra time.
“
He puts his point across that in the 2026 World Cup alone:
- Ivory Coast 87’ conceded from leading.
- DRC 86’ conceded from leading.
- Senegal 86’ conceded leading.
South
“
“If we are going to continue in this manner, then we are empowering the likes of Bogdanovic with the licence and the ammunition to say that I told you so, and they reprimanded me for telling the truth and saying it like it is. Africa can do better.”
