Russia: A new page for Africa or same old boring story?
By Nkosana Manfred
A brief look at these teams on how they qualified leaves me with a feeling that it is going to be business as usual in Russia. There is no tangible improvement on the standards of African football that we can talk about. There are one or two African players who have dominated and keep dominating in Europe’s big leagues but still there aren’t many enough to form a forceful team for a single nation.
In Russia all African eyes will be on Liverpool’s duo; Salah and Mane to conjure the magic that they produced on the way to that horrendous loss in Kiev. Salah’s Egypt is staked in the same group with hosts, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. In my view, they carry Africa’s best hopes. Their appearances at the World Cup tournaments are rare but they were the first African team to set foot on the tournament in 1934, will they be the first to get to the semi-finals? A lot will depend on how they use and compliment the scoring sensation Mohamed Salah. If they can beat Russia and Saudi Arabia there is no stopping them from getting to the next stage even if they lose to group favourites Uruguay.
Having qualified to the World Cup with a game to spare in a group with another African powerhouse, Ghana, surely the Pharaohs are there on merit. However, can they be trusted? Their preparations are hardly impressive. Having lost 0-3 to Belgium and drew with both Kuwait and Columbia there is no victory recorded. Their fans will argue that these preparatory games weren’t impressive due to the absence of their talisman to injury. Will the cold Russia be the perfect place for the Pharaohs reign? Let’s wait and see.
Nigeria, The Super Eagles, boast of some proud games in the tournament. The narrow loss to Italy in extra time in 1994 being one of my personal favourite games. They have qualified five times to the tournament with three losses in the last 16 being their highest achievement. Like The Pharaohs, they also qualified with a game to spare in a group that included Africa’s powerhouses Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
In Russia the Super Eagles must battle Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Luka Modric’s Croatia and the gutsy Iceland. They have their work cut out for them. Will they battle to the next round like they did overcoming the group of death in the Qualifiers? Only time will tell.
Morocco is famed for their solid defence. Will that help them to narrow victories and defy the common Africa’s last 16 trend? With Spain, CR7’s Portugal and always improving Iran as their opponents, it is up to them to rise and be a force to be reckoned with in football’s biggest stage. They qualified smoothly from a group that included Ivory Coast, Mali and Gabon. Those teams are hardly push overs so there is some pedigree in this team.
It will be Alou Cisse’s Senegal second appearance at the World’s biggest stage. He was the captain of that fairy tale they produced in Korea-Japan. Boasting of Sadio Mane, a brave and skillful player, what are their chances for a repeat or betterment of the 2002 adventure? With Poland, Colombia and Japan contending with them for progression they will have to be at their best to progress from the group stages. Africa is eagerly watching.
Tunisia face dark-horses Belgium in their group which also include England and Panama. If they can upset one of Europe’s big boys, they can fancy their chances of progression. They qualified from a group that included DRC, Libya and Guinea. They will hope to fight and progress. Tunisia will look to rely on their great team ethics to overcome.
Will this delegation of Lions, Eagles and a Pharaoh delight the African fan? Will the Russian weather freeze our hopes and can we take solace in the European or South American superpowers to delight our national success starved appetites?
As the World Cup begins and our eyes get glued endlessly to the broadcasting screens, may the real winner be football and the gods of football remember Africa, their long lost son. As the tournament unfolds, may the best team win.
Africa’s delegation of two Lions, two Eagles and a Pharaoh have landed in Russia the land of crazy winters and vodka.
Carrying the hopes of an African recognition on the greatest stage of football showcase is Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria. However, sad reality is that very few, if any, of Africa’s football lovers tip any of them to reach semi-finals let alone to bring the golden trophy home.
A brief look at these teams on how they qualified leaves me with a feeling that it is going to be business as usual in Russia. There is no tangible improvement on the standards of African football that we can talk about. There are one or two African players who have dominated and keep dominating in Europe’s big leagues but still there aren’t many enough to form a forceful team for a single nation.
In Russia all African eyes will be on Liverpool’s duo; Salah and Mane to conjure the magic that they produced on the way to that horrendous loss in Kiev. Salah’s Egypt is staked in the same group with hosts, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. In my view, they carry Africa’s best hopes. Their appearances at the World Cup tournaments are rare but they were the first African team to set foot on the tournament in 1934, will they be the first to get to the semi-finals? A lot will depend on how they use and compliment the scoring sensation Mohamed Salah. If they can beat Russia and Saudi Arabia there is no stopping them from getting to the next stage even if they lose to group favourites Uruguay.
Having qualified to the World Cup with a game to spare in a group with another African powerhouse, Ghana, surely the Pharaohs are there on merit. However, can they be trusted? Their preparations are hardly impressive. Having lost 0-3 to Belgium and drew with both Kuwait and Columbia there is no victory recorded. Their fans will argue that these preparatory games weren’t impressive due to the absence of their talisman to injury. Will the cold Russia be the perfect place for the Pharaohs reign? Let’s wait and see.
Nigeria, The Super Eagles, boast of some proud games in the tournament. The narrow loss to Italy in extra time in 1994 being one of my personal favourite games. They have qualified five times to the tournament with three losses in the last 16 being their highest achievement. Like The Pharaohs, they also qualified with a game to spare in a group that included Africa’s powerhouses Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
In Russia the Super Eagles must battle Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Luka Modric’s Croatia and the gutsy Iceland. They have their work cut out for them. Will they battle to the next round like they did overcoming the group of death in the Qualifiers? Only time will tell.
Morocco is famed for their solid defence. Will that help them to narrow victories and defy the common Africa’s last 16 trend? With Spain, CR7’s Portugal and always improving Iran as their opponents, it is up to them to rise and be a force to be reckoned with in football’s biggest stage. They qualified smoothly from a group that included Ivory Coast, Mali and Gabon. Those teams are hardly push overs so there is some pedigree in this team.
It will be Alou Cisse’s Senegal second appearance at the World’s biggest stage. He was the captain of that fairy tale they produced in Korea-Japan. Boasting of Sadio Mane, a brave and skillful player, what are their chances for a repeat or betterment of the 2002 adventure? With Poland, Colombia and Japan contending with them for progression they will have to be at their best to progress from the group stages. Africa is eagerly watching.
Tunisia face dark-horses Belgium in their group which also include England and Panama. If they can upset one of Europe’s big boys, they can fancy their chances of progression. They qualified from a group that included DRC, Libya and Guinea. They will hope to fight and progress. Tunisia will look to rely on their great team ethics to overcome.
Will this delegation of Lions, Eagles and a Pharaoh delight the African fan? Will the Russian weather freeze our hopes and can we take solace in the European or South American superpowers to delight our national success starved appetites?
As the World Cup begins and our eyes get glued endlessly to the broadcasting screens, may the real winner be football and the gods of football remember Africa, their long lost son. As the tournament unfolds, may the best team win.
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