By Fredrick Nadulli,
Ever since 1985 when Africa won its first international trophy with Nigeria’s victory at the u-17 world championship in Beijing under Christian Chukwu,the continent has dared to dream of taking one of the big world titles.
Around the same time,Pele,one of football’s greatest ever exponents prophesied that Africa would win the world cup before the end of last century.Pele was speaking off-the-cuff,but his sentiments sank in.
Fourteen years since the turn of the century,his prophecy has not quite come to pass,but the continent has achieved major milestones that have come close to his prediction.Some of these successes have eluded even the elite of Europe and South America.
Ghana won Olympic bronze in Barcelona before Nigeria and Cameroon won gold in Atlanta and Sydney respectively.
Hitherto considered mere participants,African sides have steadily confounded doubters and given traditional powerhouses a run for their money at the global stage.
True,the farthest African teams have gone is the quarters,but keen observers will not fail to notice sheer hard luck,as was with Ghana-Uruguay in SA 2010,or sheer naivete as with Nigeria-Italy at USA 1994,Cameroon-England at Italia 1990 and Senegal-Turkey at S.Korea/Japan 2002.
African exports have since made lasting impressions in European clubs.
Which begs the question;is Africa finally going to join the big boys at the high table in Brazil.
ALGERIA
The only team from North Africa,the Desert foxes have graced the world cup three times in their history;Espana 82,Mexico 86 and S.Africa 2010.Some of the biggest names to have come through their ranks include Rabah Madjer,Moustapha Zitoun and Lakhdar Belloumi.
In Brazil they will be up against Belgium,Russia and S.Korea.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic will rely mostly on players based in Spain,the likes of Medhi Lacen(Getafe),Yacine Brahimi(Granada),Sofiane Feghouli(Valencia) and Sporting Lisbon’s Islam Slimani.
GHANA
The Black stars were only a minute and a penalty away from making it into the semis at SA 2010 when Asamoah Gyan blasted his effort over.Ghana has never been short of exceptional talent,including names like Abedi Pele Ayew,Samuel Osei Kuffour and Tony Yeboah.
Coach Kwesi Appiah’s current generation boasts the likes of Michael Essien and Sulley Ali Muntari of AC Milan,Kwadwo Asamoah of Juventus,Prince Boateng and the Ayew siblings Andre and Jordan.The Black stars are in what many consider the group of death,with the USA,Portugal and Germany.
Their only other world cup appearance was in Germany 2006.
NIGERIA
The Super Eagles class of 94 descended upon the Americas and mesmerised crowds in USA 94.Then,they had in their ranks players of the calibre of Austin Okocha,Sunday Oliseh,Daniel Amokachi and Finidi George.Those were the days Nigeria was obsessed with foreign coaches.
Fast forward to 2014 and former skipper Stephen Keshi is in charge.He has a rich blend of youth and experience to call upon.In Vincent Enyeama(Lille)and Austin Ejide(Hapoel),goalkeeping is in safe hands.John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses will call the shots in midfield as Osaze Odemwingie and Babatunde Michael search for goals.
They are in a potentially tricky group that includes Argentina,Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Apart from USA 94 the Eagles were also in France 98.
COTE D’IVOIRE
This is the Elephants’ second ever appearance at the world stage.It may be the last chance for a hugely talented squad to finally achieve something for their country.It is a lost throw of the dice for stars on the wrong side of thirty,the likes of Didier Drogba,Didier Zokora and the Toure brothers Kolo and Yaya.
Coach Sabri Lamouchi has a galaxy of stars to pick from,his hope that Gervais Yao Kouassi,Salomon Kalou,Arthur Boka,Wilfred Bony et al can replicate their club form at international level.
Pitted against Colombia,Japan and Greece,getting to the second round should not be too difficult for them.
Former big names like Joel Tiehi,Laurent Pokou,Michel Bassole and Youssef Faliko Foffana set the foundations on which the current team is built.
CAMEROON
The Indomitable Lions have graced the world cup six times;Espana 82,Italia 90,USA 94,France 98,S.Korea/Japan 2002 and S.Africa 2010.But it was their virtuoso perfomance in Italy under Russian Valeri Nepomniachi that captured the imagination of the world,with the likes of Roger Milla,Emmanuel Kunde,Cyril Makanaky and Benjamin Massing.
In Brazil they will parade a new generation that has familiar names like Samuel Eto’o,Jean Makoun,Joel Matip,Alexandre Song and Stephane Mbia.
Coach Volker Finke has his work cut out,his biggest headache being host nation the selecao of Brazil.Mexico and Croatia will not be a walk in the park either.
PROUD AMBASSADORS
A good number of these players are established professionals in their respective clubs.Africa has only five slots in the world cup.While the rest will be watching,our ambassadors will be strutting their stuff in South America.
Victory for any of them is victory for Africa.
Go ye proud ambassadors.
