Can an African nation finally win the World Cup?
Ivory Coast team
With the World Cup draw dawning upon us on Friday, can this finally be the opportunity for an African nation to win the big one? Pele once predicted that an African nation would win the prestigious trophy before 2000, that did not happen, nor has it happened since. With no African nation getting past the Quarter Finals in the last five tournaments. Can they finally go all the way next summer?
The five representatives of the continent at the tournament will be Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, all of which will be hoping to go for gold in Rio.
Of the five, the current lowest rank team in Cameroon, lying in 51st place. They secured their passage with a 4-1 aggregate with over Tunisia. It’s fair to say that the Lions are no longer the same force that they were in the 1990s-2000s. Their showing at the last world cup was not very satisfying and left much to be improved upon, losing all three and bombing out of the group stages. Although with their talismanic captain Samuel Eto’o back again, and with names such as Alex Song, Jean Makoun, Stephane Mbia, Nicolas N’Koulou and Pierre Webo in their squad. They should make a good fight in making it through to the last 16.
Algeria, booked their tickets with a rather thrilling tie with Burkina Faso, overturning a 3-2 first leg loss, with a tight 1-0 win in the return leg. Ranked at a solid 26th position, with a relatively unspectacular team. The Foxes will not be expected to make any serious progression through the tournament. But they will be looking to improve on their showing from four years ago, with two losses and the stagnant goalless draw against England, and hopefully register a goal in the group stages unlike last time around.
The remaining three nations, will most likely have the best chances of making good progress. Nigeria are the current champions of Africa (beating Burkina Faso in the Cup of Nations final), and did it with a relatively inexperienced and youthful team. The Eagles were one of the teams who many had high hopes of winning the cup back in the 1990s (as shown by topping their groups both in ‘94 and ‘98). Could they finally display their potential in Brazil? With stars such as Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa, Victor Enyeama and John Obi Mikel, and other squad members playing in various top clubs around Europe. Together with the confidence of their title win this year, should give them good hope to break into the knockout phases, and maybe even further!
Ghana will head to Brazil aiming to make amends for their heart-break four years ago atJohannesburg. The Black Stars had the chance to be the first African team to make the semi-finals, and missed a last minute penalty after Luis Suarez infamously kept out the goal bound header with his hands. Ghana have a talented selection of players, captain Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah and Andre Ayew are among some of their star names. Unlike 2010, they will not have the backing of nation to feed off, but a deep run to the quarters should be manageable.
Much was expected of the Ivory Coast last time around, but disappointingly went out at the group phase (though their group did contain Brazil and Portugal). Probably with Ghana, they will have the highest hopes of the five. Star striker, and national hero, Didier Drogba will be looking to make one last stand, at the age of 35, he may not be at the next tournament. Yaya Toure, whom many consider the best in his position will also be another ace for the Elephants. Gervinho, who has suddenly been rejuvenated after his move to Roma, along with a rich talent pool to pick a squad. Cote d’Ivoire should look to make a firm impression in this edition of the tournament.
But can any of the teams go on to win the whole thing? On paper, looking at the rankings, you would say no. But the trio of Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana should have optimism in breaking past the group stages. As with any knockout tournament, any team on their day can win, and the luck of the draw can eliminate potential rivals. So don’t be surprised if you see an African team finally appear in the semi final draw for a World Cup come July.