“There are no big teams in football now. All countries are equal.”
“If you remember, ten years ago I started mentioning about how football in Africa will grow and get better and better. Africa gets a lot of players in Europe and they have a lot of experience, and with adequate preparation it will not be a surprise to see Africa in the finals or the quarter-final at the South Africa 2010 World Cup.”
Pele’s comments on the strength of African football seem to be growing in accuracy as the World Cup approaches. Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002 share the honour of an African team’s greatest performance on world football’s grandest stage, and many observers are beginning to agree with Pele, that such an achievement can be matched in the summer of 2010.
Even with one African qualification place still to be decided, the quality of players representing the continent on home turf in June is clear. Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Obafemi Martins, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure will all compete at the World Cup following a season of Champions League football. They will be joined by Manchester City’s captain Kolo Toure and, should Egypt qualify, the likes of Mohamed Aboutrika and Mohamed Zidan. The prevalence of African footballers at the highest levels of club football around the world should be ample warning to the more established international sides. But when coupled with the advantage of home support and recognizable conditions, as we saw with South Korea in 2002, the possibility of Africa being represented at the business end of the tournament is significant.
In 2006, Ghana qualified from their group to face Brazil in the knockout rounds, and the Ivory Coast performed admirably in the “Group of Death” alongside heavyweights such as Argentina and Holland. After their exit, then coach Henri Michel stated:
“The only thing we lack is experience.”
Experience is invaluable at tournaments such as these. Teams such as Germany, who were not fancied at the start of the 2006 tournament, used the home crowds and the benefits of a history of competing in major tournaments to make a semi final appearance. On occasion back in 2006, it was little moments of naivety against the “bigger” teams that cost the African sides, but with those defeats comes experience, and every 4 years, these teams go stronger for it.
The growth of African football is clear back at home. The choice of South Africa as host in 2010 could provide great reward, and the likes of Michael Essien have used their reputation to start charitable foundations on the continent. The power of football is also coupled with new successes as Ghana’s under-20s recent victory in the U20 World Cup against Brazil shows the development in Africa that Pele previously eluded to.
The African sides continue to climb the FIFA rankings, both Cameroon and the Ivory Coast sit inside the top 20. On home territory, with talismanic figures now excelling in some of Europe’s most successful teams, Pele may not only be right about what can be achieved in 2010, but he may be being a bit modest in predicting only a quarter final appearance for the stars of African football.
Written by David Harrison
David, thanks for that – excellent article.
The one thing about the African teams is for every Eto there are 5 or 6 average players (in most teams), whereas the top teams in the World seem to be able to put out quality in every area of the pitch. At international level you cannot afford to carry players and this I think is where the African teams will struggle.
In saying that if you put together an African XI then I think they’d fair well against everyone. Exporting talent to Europe has really improved their chances in the World Cup and has increased the standard of the African Cup of Nations. For Ghana to beat Brazil in the U20′s means that they’re getting something right down at grassroots level so it’s only a matter of time before a few teams emerge as potential World Cup winners. Slightly off topic but people have predicted a similar trend of China in 15-20 years time. If World Football Columns is still about then we can come back and check if we were right!
Steven I think you’re right there. It is easy to get carried away with hyping the African challenge 8 months before the tournament.
For teams such as Cameroon or Ivory Coast to really compete with the likes of Brazil and Germany it will take a lot of luck and some huge performances from the likes of Eto’o. With Essien suspended in 2006, Ghana were quite comfortably beaten by Brazil, who themselves were nowhere near their best. They probably lack the depth to perform consistently over the course of the 7 games.
Having said that, in any one knockout match, one or two of the top sides could well be humbled by the African teams, and will probably be hoping to avoid the likes of Ivory Coast in the draw.
Nice article David!
I would not like to see Ivory Coast or Cameroon in the draw, I rather preffer New Zealand or Honduras. The evolution of football in Africa depends however in europena coaches going there, it been like that, and that is maybe the only area in which they have not improved over the last few years. I really want to see Egypt in South Africa, I know that they have to get over Argelie today, but this Aboutrika fellow is a very talented player.
Well played Algeria, but I have to admit I am a little disappointed that the World Cup will miss out on having Aboutrika involved. As Fabricio says he is fantastic to watch, controls games in a similar style to Zidane, does everything at his own pace and is quite simply a touch of class.
I watched Germany play Ivory Coast last night and was impressed by both teams, it was a very open game and both teams seem to pass the ball very well. I would say Germany were the better side but in the end were lucky to escape with a draw. When Drogba returns they’ll have quite a team. Seydou Doumbia impressed me as well, great with the ball at his feet and running at players, he looks very dangerous.
Germany looked incisive and very attacking minded too, Low is quite an astute coach and seems to get his players thinking, their movement is exceptional. Ozil and Podolski both played well and any attacking midfielder would be proud of the ball played by marauding centre half Heiko Westermann for the equaliser. Some things are far more important than football, and it was quite an emotional game given the tragedy surrounding German football in the last week – such a good game of football was a fitting tribute to Robert Enke, may he rest in peace.
I, too, would like to have seen Egypt in South Africa. Mohamed Zidan is another very talented player I like.
I saw the Germany-Ivory Coast game too and I agree on your assessment Steve. Another player who impressed me was Emmanuel Eboue. I thought he did really well in his more advanced role on the right of a front 3. He was a constant threat and caused the German defence a lot of problems.
With regards to Podolski, more often players struggle to replicate their club form at international level, whereas with him it’s the other way round. All in all it must’ve been a really difficult game for the Germans to play following the tragic events of last week. All credit to them.
Very true, Eboue looked direct and incisive and was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar after Lahm’s mistake. You’re right about Podolski too, he has a phenomenal scoring record for Germany. Not sure if the Koln side have the ability to create the national team does, Maniche is not settled there yet and they seem to be short maybe a creative midfielder or a good winger.
Back on topic, Algeria now they have made it will be a difficult team to take on. One player I’ve been a fan of for a while is Mourad Meghni of Lazio, a former graduate of Clairefontaine, French under 21 international and former stand out at Bologna. He is a gifted, ball playing attacking midfielder who was once compared to Zidane.
Well the draw for the World Cup groups has not been too kind to the home nations. Ivory Coast, who are one of the stronger african sides have, much like in 2006, been drawn in arguably the toughest group. I guess that it’s testament to their strength that they form part of what is the “group of death” again, but much like what has been discussed already, at the moment the African sides would have probably needed to avoid the likes of Brazil for as long as possible to be able to make a real impact on the tournament. But, bigger shocks have happened at World Cups before and it is against the more illustrious opponents that the African support will probably be at it’s strongest, and therefore can really be able to make a difference.
David, looking at the draw, which African side can you see progressing furthest in the tournament? I haven’t had a chance to have a detailed look at the draw yet beyond the group stages (I’ll give you my thoughts when I do!). As far as getting out of the groups is concerned, I think Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast have the best chance. It’s a tough draw for Ivory Coast especially, but I don’t think they should fear Portugal, and if they get the better of them then they’ll probably go through.