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Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-0613-3897

Abstract

Football in Africa as a legacy of European colonialism is undeniable. The export of football through colonization resulted to the popularization of the sport while also creating a system of economic exploitation and impoverishment that is the cause of considerable problems for African society. This economic system positioned African countries as dependents of former colonizers even after achieving independence. Sports, specifically football, provides a unique perspective to explore the no-win situation that Africa exists within the global economic system. Always chasing the elusive ‘development’ goal that is dictated by others and shifts without the interests of African countries. The offside trap exemplifies the phenomenon of "shifting" development that is untenable for some. Using this analytical perspective illustrates a system constructed by external powers that is often detached from African realities, keeping the continent in a reactive and marginalized position rather than. Through this football metaphor we can understand how colonization enforced assimilation and erected structural barriers that continue to ensure hegemony of former colonial powers. The solutions must be African, creating space for innovation. Informal economic systems exemplify how African countries adapted to the needs of the people ensuring resilience and survival.

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