The same African teams that embarked on South Africa in 2010 will do the same in Brazil after they negotiated the tricky African qualification section. Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria will once again attempt to become the first African side to reach the Semi Finals of the World Cup.
Cameroon
Cameroon have been dealt a difficult group including: Brazil, Croatia and Mexico. All sides that the punters would back to beat the Indomitable Lions. And it’s difficult to disagree, a nation that have been carried largely by Samuel Eto’o and have failed to qualify for the previous two African Cup of Nations are unlikely to beat any of the three teams named.
However, Mexico and Croatia have their own problems ahead of the World Cup. Mexico had to beat New Zealand to secure their World Cup place after finishing fourth in the CONCACAF section of World Cup qualifying.
Croatia ended up qualifying after beating Iceland in a World Cup playoff after an unconvincing second-place finish ahead of Serbia in Group A in UEFA Qualifying.
Cameroon’s performance at the World Cup will depend on the opening two group games against Mexico and Croatia. Their strike-force is perhaps one of the more feared in the African section with: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto’o and Pierre Webo just some of the names leading the line for Cameroon at the World Cup. A positive result against Mexico and they could be their way to repeating the performance at the 1990 World Cup. However if they suffer defeat, they may not recover from it.
Ivory Coast
It’s the final chance for the ‘Golden Generation’ of Ivorian football to make their mark at an international tournament and they can be favoured ahead of the World Cup after their draw saw them placed in a ‘hipsters’ group with Colombia, Japan and Greece.
Colombia may be a step too far with their stellar-attack, which will be the envy of the World Cup. Japan and Greece however, provide a very nice challenge for Ivory Coast.
Japan have been praised for their exciting possession football, particularly at the Confederations Cup. What is often forgotten about Japan is that they lost three out of three at the Confederations Cup despite the ‘good’ football.
An in-form Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and even Gervinho would be too much for a Japan team that are often slated because of their defending. They have failed to keep a clean sheet since a 3-0 win over Guatemala in September. What the Ivory Coast have in their favour also is experience at the highest level: Didier Zokora, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba have a combined 403 caps between them and three out of four of them have won a Premier League title.
If they can all play as they have done in Europe consistently for the past few years, then the Ivory Coast probably have the best chance of making it far in the World Cup out of the African teams.
Nigeria
The Champions of African have a favourable group apart from Argentina, but after facing them in their last two World Cup’s- they are a known opponent.
Bosnia & Herzegovina provide an interesting opponent, they do have some top names in: Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic and Miralem Pjanic. However a lack of tournament experience could cause them to suffer. Also, limited playing time for their star player Edin Dzeko could cause its own difficulties in terms of fitness for the striker.
Iran are an opponent that have the potential to surprise. They topped a decent qualifying group, beating South Korea to top spot after winning in Seoul 1-0 on the final matchday. Playing out of the continent may be the issue for Iran. They have only ever won a World Cup game outside of Iran in their history- a win over USA in France 98′.
The advantage Nigeria have in the group is that they face arguably the weakest team in Iran first and then they play Bosnia in the second group game. Their key player in the group phase will be John Obi Mikel, under Mourinho has had regular game time and has been key part of the Chelsea midfield this season. If he can occupy a box-to-box role at the World Cup efficiently and effectively like he did at African Cup of Nations. Then Nigeria could take second place in Group F.
The experience of the Confederations Cup last year will be beneficial in terms of how not to approach the World Cup. Nigeria were dumped out in the group stage, partially because of the quality of their group. But ultimately because they weren’t prepared for the tournament. They turned up just a few days ahead of their opener against Tahiti and despite winning the game 6-1, they were viewed as losers because of the goal they conceded.
Finally in their final games they were outclassed by Uruguay and Spain. The tournament was a major reality check for the African champions and it has provided them with some real perspective heading to the World Cup next summer.
Ghana
The ‘Black Stars’ are up against it after being placed in Group G with USA, Germany and Portugal. While it may seem a complete disaster, it isn’t all bad. The first game is against USA, a side they have beaten in the two previous World Cup finals. And their second game against Portugal isn’t an impossible task. Ghana can match Portugal pound for pound apart from Cristiano Ronaldo. If he’s misfiring- anything is possible.
Although many people believe that Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari returning to the national side only for the World Cup shows that they can manipulate the national team. It can not be denied that are Ghana are a significantly better team with them in the team.
Their 6-1 win over previously unbeaten Egypt in their first leg game in the World Cup playoff just shows the quality their possess. Whether they can maximise their potential at the World Cup is questionable. But out of all the African teams, they have coped with a World Cup environment the best.
A challenging group may bring out the best from Ghana. The likes of Sulley Muntari, Kevin Prince Boateng and Michael Essien have all risen to the occasion in big games in the past. There will be questions whether they can recover from the heartache of 2010, but they may use it as fuel for their ambitions as they try to reach the elusive Semi Final stage.
Algeria
After a disastrous African Cup of Nations, Algeria recovered to qualify for the World Cup by beating Burkina Faso on away goals in the World Cup playoff. A late Madjid Bougherra header saved them as they won the second leg 1-0 after losing 3-2 in the first.
Many have suggested that Algeria will struggle to qualify from their group, which is hard to disagree with. But it is one of the easiest groups in the tournament with Belgium, Russia and South Korea occupying the other three spots.
Belgium provide the biggest challenge with their stellar line-up featuring the very best from the Premier League. However, while they are very difficult opponents the hype surrounding them could lead to a catastrophe for the side billed as ‘dark horses’.
A similar performance to that against England in the 2010 World Cup in their opener against Belgium and the Belgian media could fully freak out into a mass frenzy.
Russia could struggle, mostly because of the heat and because of the fact most of their players have never played in a World Cup. They did beat Portugal to top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, but as is often pointed out- Portugal don’t start performing until the finals actually begin.
South Korea are a decent side, but they are beatable. They were pipped to top spot in their Asian qualifying by Iran. And in their friendlies against teams qualified for the 2014 World Cup they only won one against Switzerland in November.
Algeria probably have the weakest squad of the African teams, there will be a heavy reliance on their La Liga stars such as Sofiane Feghouli and Yacine Brahimi to produce commendable performances.
They will also hope Rafik Djebbour can reach the heights he did with Olympiacos last season, when he scored 20 goals in 25 appearances. This season has been disappointment as he has only scored two league goals on loan at Turkish side Sivasspor.
The group stage should be the final hurdle for Algeria, but if they can rattle Belgium in their opener. The pathway is open for them to succeed at the World Cup.