THE RECENT World Cup draw in Brazil was far from kind to the majority of the African participants.
Of the quintet, Nigeria have the greatest cause for optimism. Stephen Keshi’s African champions will have hoped to have assured their place in the second round by the time they face favourites Argentina in their final Group F encounter.
Keshi has fashioned a side that is capable of beating both Iran and Bosnia-Hercegovina before facing Argentina, against whom they have lost on their three previous meetings.
Nigerian hopes are subject to continued interference from Nigerian Football Federation officials, who have openly plotted against Keshi, who has maintained his dignity despite going unpaid for seven months at one stage.
The Super Eagles will hope to carry over the momentum from their Cup of Nations triumph and can call upon a John Mikel Obi freed from his defensive midfield shackles at Chelsea and the powerful and lethal forward play of Emmanuel Emenike to turn a match in their favour.
Some of Nigeria’s more optimistic fans feel their side are set to become the first African nation to reach the last four but the Super Eagles first goal is to win their first World Cup finals match since 1998.
Cameroon face the arduous task of escaping a Group A comprising hosts Brazil, Mexico, and Croatia. The odds are against Volker Finke’s side.
Too often in recent years the Indomitable Lions have been blighted by disputes over money and bonuses that have worked to undermine their team spirit. Moreover, Samuel Eto’o’s form for Chelsea does not inspire confidence.
Cameroon have not progressed beyond the group stages since their dreamlike quarter-final appearance at Italia ’90 and Finke will need to find a greater tactical coherence than exhibited in qualifying to usurp either Mexico or Croatia.
Will it be third time lucky for Ivory Coast’s hopes of making the knockout phase? For once they have not been handed an implausibly tough draw, but in Group C Colombia are currently one of the best sides on the planet, while both Japan and Greece pose their own sets of problems.
It is easy to paint their appearance as yet another last hurrah for the Ivorian ‘Golden Generation’ but their retinue of stars is ageing and doubts over Sabri Lamouchi’s stewardship will not disappear.
Yet there should, despite accepted wisdom, be enough talent within the Elephants’ ranks to muster a handful of competent tournament performances.
Drogba and Co. could then disappear into the sunset with a degree of satisfaction knowing they acquitted themselves well on the greatest stage, but it is not an idyll that suits their capable opponents.
It is already looking grim for Ghana, who have been placed in Group G with Germany, Portugal and the USA.
A reunion with the Americans will evoke euphoric memories of their last-16 triumph in South Africa, as will a potential second meeting of the Boateng brothers when Kevin-Prince could face Germany’s Jerome in Fortaleza, but the perception is of three teams scrapping for second place behind the much fancied and efficient Germans.
The Black Stars have retained elements of their 2010 quarter-final vintage in the form of Boateng, Dede Ayew and Asamoah Gyan, who are all still on the top of their game but it is difficult to look beyond Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Algeria are north Africa’s sole representatives in Brazil and despite their improved style under coach Vahid Halilhodzic that is their greatest distinction.
The Desert Foxes have nonetheless retained their solid, defensive shape and will likely need to fall back on that approach in a Group H that places them with the fancied Belgians, South Korea and Russia.
The fear is that they will also resort to the time-wasting and gamesmanship on display in their play-off victory over Burkina Faso.
On paper Algeria are the weakest participants at the tournament and for all central defender Madjid Bougherra’s inspirational leadership, the Algerians lack ability and are likely to fall short of their opponents.
England have not quite been handed the toughest group but the doom mongers are already predicting their demise in a Group D that comprises Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Italy, England’s first opponents, are a far more accomplished side than Roy Hodgson’s, and Uruguay, who can call upon the lethal strike pairing of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, will relish taking on an England with uncertainties in goal and central defence.
It is also not a jump to imagine England toiling with Costa Rica.
Yet despite the logistical and climatic problems, in Ashley Cole, Jack Wilshere, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, there is a spine of players who could upset the gloomy predictions.
All the same, underachievers England have never beaten Italy or Uruguay in competitive meetings and English expectations have seldom been so low going into a World Cup. – The Voice
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