The
five African nations bound for the Brazil 2014 will be decided this weekend. We
are going to witness cream de la cream of African football playing against each
for the places in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the land of Samba. The main goal
for the African teams is to progress beyond the last 8 which will be the best
achievement ever by the African team in the World Cup. Only Cameroon class of
1990, Senegal golden generation of 2002 and Ghana youthful team of 2010 made it
to the last 8 of the World Cup.
My
money is on Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast to qualify with ease for Brazil
2014.They have done enough in the first leg to qualify but football is full of
unpredictable moments. However, Ethiopia, Egypt and Senegal don't stand a
chance to embarrass the best African teams.
Ethiopia
had a chance to seal a victory against Nigeria in Addis Ababa but lacked
composure and scoring techniques to trouble the "Super Eagles”. Senegal
showed a lot of respect against Ivory Coast but succumbed to the two quick and
soft goals within short period of the time.
However,
"Lions of Teranga" regained conscious towards the end of the game
which was already too late despite scoring an important away consolation goal.
Egypt was out-played, out-displayed and out-competed by high flying Ghana. I
don't foresee Egypt turning the table around.
Cameroon
despite its internal issue in the federation due to political intrusion will
make it through alongside Algeria but I don't foresee them doing well in Brazil
2014. Cameroon lack good team spirit to trouble any team whilst Algeria is not
good enough in terms of talent to upset other teams if they qualified.
Nigeria,
Ghana and Ivory Coast with some famous names in Europe leagues are strong and
experience enough to make the impact in the Brazil 2014. Most of their players
are playing week and week out in the big European leagues.
However,
it won't be easy as South American teams such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia,
Chile and Uruguay ready to make good impression in the tournament by winning it
in their own continental soil but European teams such as Holland, Spain,
Russia, Germany, Italy and probably Portugal and even the tournament surprise
package Belgium can't be undermined in the tournament as they are capable to
beat any Nation. Personally, I don't foresee England making any significant
impact in the Brazil 2014.
I
strongly believe that African teams have more chance of succeeding in South
America not due to the similarity in climate as suggested by England Coach Roy
Hodgson but due to the rising standard of African Football. The victory by Golden
Eaglets (Nigeria under 17) winning FIFA under 17 World Cup will inspire African
teams to conquer the world in Brazil.
Saturday,
16 November 2013
Nigeria vs Ethiopia
Senegal vs Ivory Coast
Sunday,
17 November 2013
Cameroon vs Tunisia
Tuesday,
19 November 2013
Egypt vs Ghana
Algeria vs Burkina Faso
By Owen Mundalamo
Twitter: @diskioff [www.twitter.com/diskioff]
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