In spite of the persistent nationwide protests and the construction hiccups witnessed at some key venues for the 20th edition of the Mundial, all is now set for the most exciting football showpiece on earth. For the next 30 days,global attention will be focused on the Land of Samba, arguably the most successful nation in the history of the World Cup as five-time winners.
Thirty-two nations will vie for the prestigious trophy. Spain are the defending champions, winning the prize on the African soil – South Africa 2010. The continent is being represented by five countries, namely, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Algeria. The Indomitable Lions are making their seventh appearance in the tournament, followed by Nigeria with four previous appearances; Algeria have had three previous appearances, while Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are making their third appearance.
No African representative has gone beyond the round of 16. Cameroon got to the quarter-finals at the Italia 90, the first to achieve that feat. Nigeria’s Super Eagles crashed out of round 16 in their debut at the USA ’94. Group stage flops have been the hallmarks of Africancountries. In the build-ups to the Brazil 2014, there is nothing much to suggest any spectacular outings if the outcome of friendly matches played by the African ambassadors are any guide. Of the three warm-up games, Nigeria drew two and lost one; Cote d’Ivoire won one, drew one and lost one; Ghana lost all their warm-up matches; Algeria won their two friendlies, while Cameroon had one win, one draw and one loss.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in Group F with their arch foes Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Cameroon are saddled with tough customers, namely, Brazil, Croatia and Mexico in Group A. Cote d’Ivoire will test their might in Group C with Colombia, Greece and Japan. Algeria will battle to survive in Group H featuring Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic. Ghana Black Stars are in Group G, regarded as the Pool of Death, and they are to contend with Germany, Portugal and the United States.
Of the Big Five representing the African continent, the Super Eagles present the weakest link despite their status as the reigning African champions. They are also ranked 6th on the continent, languishing behind Algeria, Cote d I’voire and Ghana. Many pundits have criticized the Super Eagles as parading mostly average players who warmed benches in their various foreign clubs for the better part of last season and in a World Cup year. They are quick to describe the team as Enyeama and 10 robots even as controversy dogged the initial list of 30 players and the eventual 23 picked for the Mundial.
We believe the head coach, Stephen Keshi, and his technical crew knows what they are doing. Nigerian football fans should draw their confidence in the scenario that unfolded at the 2013 AFCON held in South Africa. The Super Eagles were a total write-off at the tournament but they rose to the challenge and came out winners of the coveted trophy. Nigeria may not be one of the favourite countries to win the cup in Brazil, but they could go farther than they did in previous tournaments more so that they are going in as underdogs.
While wishing the global football family an exciting period, it is hoped that our Super Eagles will step up their games and surprise cynics back home.
