- Elijah Ajigbotoluwa1, Adetutu Aragbuwa, Ph.D², Samuel Oyeyemi Agbeleoba, Ph.D³, Oluwabusayo Foluso Fafiyebi⁴
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1,2,3Department of English and Literary Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; ⁴Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti
This study examines the linguistic and discursive strategies employed in football commentary during the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), focusing on matches involving Nigeria against Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and Angola. The study utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which is a powerful tool for questioning existing power structures in sports management studies. It can be used to analyze how discursive practices support or constrain diversity and inclusion in sports organizations. The analysis explores how commentary constructs narratives, reflects socio-cultural contexts, and highlights power dynamics within the games. Commentators frame matches as high-stakes confrontations between nations, using historical context and player focus to emphasize shifts in power symmetry. Linguistic strategies such as emotive language, repetition, metaphorical imagery, and informal expressions heighten drama and engage audiences. Socio-cultural references, including national identity and shared football discourse, reinforce collective sentiments and cultural pride. The study also identifies subtle biases in commentary, where emphasis on historically dominant teams or standout players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman reveals subjective inclinations. Temporal and spatial awareness is effectively integrated into commentaries with a view to creating vivid mental images for viewers. Furthermore, individual players are spotlighted to construct identities and influence perceived power dynamics within teams. The analysis demonstrates that football commentary transcends factual reporting to become a narrative art form deeply intertwined with cultural values, emotional engagement, and national identity. This study highlights how language shapes audience perception of football matches while reflecting broader socio-cultural realities surrounding African football tournaments.
