Canada’s national team has always had a cosmopolitan feel, going as far back as 1986, when it made a very first appearance at the Fifa World Cup.
There were, indeed, quite a few players in that squad on whom other countries had had a pretty strong claim.
Forwards Branko Segota and Igor Vrablic were born in Eastern Europe, moving to Canada while still very young. George Pakos was born to Polish immigrants. Paul James, David Norman, Carl Valentine, Gerry Gray, and Colin Miller all started life on the British Isles. Sven Habermann came over from West Germany, Randy Samuel from Trinidad and Tobago — and there were a couple of players of Italian descent in the mix, too.
Thirty-six years later, on their next trip to the Mundial, Qatar 2022, Canada presented an even more diversified mix, featuring players eligible for — and this might not be an exhaustive list, such is the fluidity of the concept of nationality these days — Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Ireland, Nigeria, Jamaica, Portugal, Argentina, Ivory Coast, Greece, Serbia, Liberia, Haiti, Colombia, Ghana, Scotland, and Barbados.
That composition is only rivalled by the squads of, say, France; not in overall quality or sheer depth, no, but certainly in heterogeneity. Yet while Les Bleus are still in the competition, very much on course to retain the title they won in 2018, Canada’s run is already over.
The Canucks’ return to the world stage — achieved by qualifying as the best team in the CONCACAF zone, ahead of more illustrious regional powers like the USA and Mexico — had been long-awaited, but it eventually proved forgettable; a bridge too far, if not too early, for the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.
They lost all three group games, and Canada would now have to go back to re-strategise and come up with a better survival plan for the next World Cup, which they’ve already qualified for as co-hosts with their aforementioned neighbours.
While their adventure in Qatar lasted, though, John Herdman’s charges were fun to watch. More than fun, in fact, they were brave, taking on more fancied opponents with lots of pluck and ambition and grit.
Against Belgium, world No.2, only poor finishing denied Canada the point or three they deserved. Two minutes into their next outing, versus Croatia, Davies gave his country the lead, before the last World Cup’s runners-up stormed to a 4-1 comeback win; Morocco, days later, found them a less yielding foe, only winning 2-1.
The nature of the Canadian team (the women’s side is fairly cosmopolitan, too, by the way) has made it appealing to not just indigenes, but also immigrants — two of whom shared their perspectives with Ink & Kicks.
Kwaku Bonti and Paa Clems, like Richie Laryea, the right-back who plays on the other flank for Canada, are of Ghanaian parentage.
Unlike Laryea, though, they were born in Ghana, only relocating to the North American country in their 20s.
For Bonti, immigrants — like himself — playing and excelling in Canadian colours is quite the statement.
“It’s our way of telling the country that has welcomed us and offered us opportunities: we do not come to just take away, but, given the chance, we have the ability to deepen the Canadian brand and add value to society,” he explains.
And as long as Canada continues to provide that platform, in all fields of endeavour, for immigrants to thrive, Bonti says he’d always have a soft spot for the national team — with a caveat, though.
“My support for Ghana comes first,” he laughs, “especially if the two countries cross paths.”
That didn’t happen at this World Cup — both teams finished bottom of their respective groups and Ghana haven’t met Canada since a friendly in October 2015, about a year before Bonti migrated, that ended 1-1 — although they may yet do battle at some point in the future.
Clems, though, takes it all in from a somewhat different angle.
“I feel great with the level of inclusivity,” he remarks, regarding the national team’s diverse character.
“A Canadian is a Canadian irrespective of background, colour or race.”
His support for the team, though, is irrespective of the origins of its athletes.
“If it’s local, community or national sports — once I have ties to that locality, community or nation — count me in.”
Canadian society, Bonti and Clems agree, is largely welcoming of the immigrant community; the nature of the team, indeed, reflects that willingness to embrace people of all cultures.
“At the government level,” Bonti observes, “there is an intentional effort to promote multiculturalism, of which this team presents itself as a fine ambassador.”
As Canada continues to open its doors to increasing numbers of people flocking towards its shores for educational and employment opportunities, the complexion of its national teams could get even more variegated in the coming years.
In which direction, then, would Bonti and Clems — fathers to young girls — nudge their kids if they ever express interest in playing professional football?
Ghana? Canada?
“It is a complicated reality,” Bonti, with a sigh, replies.
“My child, born in Canada, is Canadian. And more often than not, it boils down to other factors than just what my own preference is: where the connection is best for the kid, where the opportunity to play exists, etc.
“So, personally, I would leave that decision to the kid.”
Clems is a little less ambivalent about what the decision would be in his family’s case.
“I would rather my child play for Canada to give back to a country that’s invested so much in her talent.”
Your loss (well in advance), Ghana.
Enn Y. Frimpong — Ink & Kicks
