For the past year Akon has been the obvious choice for the official 2010 World Cup anthem, and yet in a surprise move, it was Shakira who was finally chosen. The Senegalese rapper from Saint-Louis seemed to have won the confidence of FIFA, the International Federation of Association Football: “I’ve been taken on as musical director for the World Cup,” he proclaimed in May 2009, adding that he was “responsible for the official anthem” and “for music during the ceremonies”. So was the information published in all the press false? Or have various positions been changed in the meantime and moved the goalposts?

In the end, the mission was entrusted to the internationally ubiquitous young Colombian, backed by the singer Zolani Mahola from the South African group Freshlyground. The song, entitled Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) – which also exists in a Spanish version – is largely inspired by the track Zangalewa composed by Cameroonian group Golden Sounds. The original version, released in 1986 by this quartet of policemen from the presidential guard, was a hit far beyond the country’s borders, as seen by Didier Awadi’s cover version on his album Sunugaal, to name but one.

In response to a flurry of questions following Shakira’s adaptation, the members of Golden Sounds have emerged from a long silence to dispel any suspicion of fraudulent plagiarism.  Without giving any details, they let it be known that a friendly agreement had been reached between the parties concerned. Along with this song devised to reach maximum consensus, the album Listen up! The official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album promotes a number of African artists, like the German-Nigerian Nneka, Angélique Kidjo, and the Soweto Spritual Singers.

The Somali K’Naan was a legitimate pretender with his song Wavin’ Flag, sponsored by the famous fizzy drink officially partnering the World Cup and already played massively by the Atlanta firm throughout the whole Fifa-Coca-Cola Trophy Tour in 83 countries. To increase its chance of becoming the World Cup anthem, the tune was rearranged to fit each country by inviting artists to come and sing in their national language: Féfé for France, the Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram for Arabic-speaking countries, and David Bisbal for the Hispanics.

The Somali K’Naan was a legitimate pretender with his song Wavin’ Flag, sponsored by the famous fizzy drink officially partnering the World Cup and already played massively by the Atlanta firm throughout the whole Fifa-Coca-Cola Trophy Tour in 83 countries. To increase its chance of becoming the World Cup anthem, the tune was rearranged to fit each country by inviting artists to come and sing in their national language: Féfé for France, the Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram for Arabic-speaking countries, and David Bisbal for the Hispanics.

Even though he won’t be playing the role he was expecting during the World Cup, Akon will still be present. The track Oh Africa, taken from his next album Stadium and featuring the American Keri Hilson and the Soweto Gospel Choir, will be Pepsi-Cola’s theme tune throughout the event. Some of the best-known footballers, including Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry, have accepted to appear in the video clip. Alongside the soccer, the image competition will be playing out its own match.