Can Africa win the World Cup?

IT was probably befitting that Ghana the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from British colonial rule in 1957 also became the first African country to qualify for this years Fifa World Cup, which will be held on African soil. It might also be probable that emotions associated with a global football spectacle as big as the World Cup might have prompted one of Ghanas and Africas paramount football legends to predict: We definitely will have one African team that goes far and when I say goes far I mean as far as raising the trophy. When I make this prediction people laugh, but I really believe it. Former Black Stars skipper Abedi Pele who ignited the much-romanticized ideal of any football-loving African worth their salt with these words last month did not stop there. This is our best chance of lifting the trophy because if you study the history of the World Cup, Brazil are the only team to win it outside their continent, he added.

Peles predictions

Just how far African football has advanced and whether or not Peles predictions will manifest into reality are some of the issues bound to come into sharp focus during the World Cup.

And Algeria, Cameroon, Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Nigeria Peles preferred candidates to lift the trophy together with hosts South Africa will probably be thankful that this year they will have the ideal platform to hone their skills in the form of the African Cup of Nations (ACON), which kicks off in Angola on Sunday. South Africa who are not taking part in this years AFCON will nonetheless use the run-up to the World Cup to engage in a massive preparation exercise that will ensure that they do not become the first hosts in the history of the competition to be eliminated in the early stages.

The downside of this years ACON from a coachs perspective as was the case in 2006 is likely to be overpowered by the strong desire to mould a team capable of going all the way in South Africa. The genuine risk of long term injuries to key players also expected to play critical roles during the World Cup is unlikely to restrict the coaches of Algeria, Cameroon, Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Nigeria who are all expected to field their strongest sides as they make a case of Africas biggest football showcase. The battle between Cote dIvoire and Ghana will be the only group clash featuring two teams that will play at the World Cup and such a twist is likely to wet the appetites of particularly those who believe that these two giants will be Africas brightest prospects for South Africa.

Ivory Coast in Group G

However, Chelseas Didier Drogba who says he is competing in his last African Cup of Nations will be the first to admit that just like in 2006, Ivory Coast has been put in a tough World Cup group. Drogba and company will play Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Korea DPR in group G. They will be hoping to avoid another dismal performance following their early exit in the 2006 edition after having been grouped with Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia. Salom Kalou, Kolo Toure together with Drogba are all among the worlds best players and they will be eager to make a solid impression, bearing in mind that they are now at their prime. Ghana on the other hand will be looking to better their effort in 2006, when they managed to reach the last 16 of the tournament. Asamoah Gyan (24) together with Andre Ayew (20) are both part of the Ghanaian team at the ACON and will be eager for an impressive campaign as they look to win places in the final squad that will make the trip to South Africa. But the rock upon which the Black Stars hopes will rest upon is 27-year-old midfielder Michael Essien an accomplished professional whose capabilities are likely to form the fulcrum of coach Milovan Rajevacs strategies. Essien is reportedly so important to the football-mad people of Ghana that there is a rumor that the Ghana Supporters Union refuses to attend a match announcing the national team without him, unless he is injured!

Ghanas main threat

Rajevac has cited Germany as Ghanas main threat to his hopes of advancing once again to the last 16 stage of the World Cup in a group D that also includes Australia and Serbia.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria once the standard bearers of African football were notably absent from the World Cup in 2006 and will therefore be hoping to make amends this time around. Powered by such greats like Rashidi Yekini and Sunday Oliseh among others, Nigeria managed to progress to the second round of the tournament both in 1994 and 1998.

However, the last time they appeared in 2002 they failed to go beyond the opening stages. Despite somewhat losing their clout in recent years, experience is what the Super Eagles will bank on during the World Cup and progressing to the knockout phase of the competition is something that is very much in the mind of coach Shaibu Amodu. Veteran Nwankwo Kanu, who has already cemented his place among Africas football legends, will (like Didier Drogba) be motivated by the fact that this is likely to be his last World Cup. Yakubu Ayegbeni and Obafemi Martins are also capable of powering their country past group A, which includes 1986 winners Argentina, Korea Republic and Greece.

Comeback for Lions

Like Nigeria, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon who have been thrust in a group that includes Netherlands, Denmark and Japan will also be making a comeback to the Fifa World Cup, after a notable absence in 2006. They remain the most accomplished African team in the World Cup a feat they achieved in 1990 after shocking Argentina 1 0 in their opener, going all the way to the quarterfinal stage before eventually bowing out following a 2 3 defeat at the hands of England. Samuel Etoo will lead a new generation of stars hoping to ensure that Cameroon regains its status as a major force in world football. The Desert Foxes of Algeria have been put in group C, which includes 1966 champions England, USA who performed well during last years Confederations Cup and Slovenia. This will be the first time that Algeria will be taking part in the World Cup since their last appearance in 1986 and a good show during the ACON is bound to lift their confidence.