Why is it that the first team that gets knocked out of the competition have to be an African team?

And South Africa are soon going to be the first country to host the competition and get knocked out in the first round.
Followed by Nigeria who I don't believe will get the result they need against South Korea, which leaves Ivory Coast who have a tough game against Brazil tonight.

Ghana and Algeria still have a chance but I expected the African countries to shine on the African continent.

5 slots is too much for Africa, that gives room for poor countries,

They should take 2 slots from us and give to South America

dayokanu:

5 slots is too much for Africa, that gives room for poor countries,

They should take 2 slots from us and give to South America

get a life

[size=14pt]
African teams continue to struggle at own World Cup[/size]

The 2010 World Cup was meant to be an African World Cup. After all wasn't this the first ever edition of the world's tournament on African soil? With six countries appearing in South Africa, it's not as though the continent is short of representation, is it?

The hosts, South Africa along with Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast have all traveled south in the hopes of shaking off the stereotypical response that African countries are simply not equipped to challenge for the top footballing honor.


In Group A, the hosts, South Africa, are on a ventilator. It will need an appearance and a helping hand from Nelson Mandela himself to get anything out of their group because it is no longer in their hands.

To say the hosts folded meekly in their must-win match versus Uruguay would be an insult to folding.

In Group B, Nigeria find itself in a similar situation. It must win and hope for a lot of help even though they were pre-tournament favorites to advance with Argentina.

Algeria in Group C are alive, but just like South Africa and Nigeria it needs more help than a gambler chasing losses.

It's not until we get to Group D where an African nation shines. Ghana top the group but not through scintillating performance. It scraped past Serbia and collapsed over the line against a 10-man Australia.



Cameroon, who many fancied advancing from Group E, have had its swagger stolen. One might suggest that any team that loses to Japan, as Cameroon did, needs to take a long look at its level of ability. This comes despite the presence of Samuel Eto'o, twice winner of the UEFA Champions League and twice African Player of the Year.

This leaves Ivory Coast in Group G. The Ivorians play Brazil tonight in Soccer City and anybody who says they can win obviously is oblivious to the bookies, form book, critics and local superstition.



In my book, nothing has gone wrong. They have neither exceeded nor performed below par. This is exactly where they're meant to be.

In the history of the World Cup only two African teams have made the last eight. Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal 12 years later in South Korea/Japan. It is not a record of which to be proud. Indeed, there has been little improvement since Zaire baffled everybody at the 1974 World Cup, losing 9-0 to Yugoslavia and, in one famous case, struggling to be acquainted with the rules of the game.

It is a harsh fact of life, but the African teams are not equipped to challenge for the World Cup and here is why:

They don't have the infrastructure in terms of domestic leagues.
Their players are scattered over the globe.
There can be too many differences within the squad based on tribal allegiances.
There are examples of money squabbles diminishing the World Cup challenge of an African team (Cameroon in 1994, et al).
Coaches come and go at whim, and are usually foreign and usually overpaid.
Pele predicted that an African nation would win the World Cup by the end of the 20th century (and anyone who knows anything about Pele's World Cup predictions would know that they are the kiss of death).


There is a lack of competition at international level (the African Cup of Nations, while taking place every two years, does not provide enough experience for African national teams, whereas European national teams have tough qualifying campaigns for the European Championships and the World Cup).
There appears to be an individual mentality rather a team mentality.
As much as it would be good for an African team to make a serious impact (i.e. reaching the World Cup semifinals), the wait will probably have to last at least another four years. The simple truth is that, for all talent that comes out of this great continent, it does not produce the truly great teams that can challenge at the business end of a World Cup.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/South-Africa-world-cup-teams-African-061910

dayokanu:

5 slots is too much for Africa, that gives room for poor countries,
They should take 2 slots from us and give to South America

hey  slowpoke, did you watch the Italian match that just ended? Held by part time footballers. This is what i was trying to tell you yesterday. These are not fluke results. There have been too many. World football has grown.

Which countries has set the stage alight so far? Germany? look what happened to them against Serbia.

I ask you again, compare the win per countries ration of Europe and tell me, should they loose places too?

I always knew the African countries would under perform, funny enough this seems to be the easiest world cup of all, strong footballing nations like England, Italy, Spain, France and Brazil are under performing who would have tot newbies Kiwi would disgrace the Italians or Americans and Algers would hold England to a spell draw and cause confusion in their camps. If an African country (Ghana or Ivory coast) do not win this world cup, we should be looking at the next 20yrs.

@dayokanu haba. Its better to try and fail than not trying at all. You heard former President George W. Bush in 2001 saying it is better to go to war and loose than not fighting at all for your right (The night he called on Sadam and his 2 sons to leave iraq). So, its good we try and try until we succeed.

dayokanu:

5 slots is too much for Africa, that gives room for poor countries,

They should take 2 slots from us and give to South America

This is a misplaced argument, i understand your frustration . Even in Africa we have good technical teams that failed to Qualify. ie ; Tunisia , Egypt, and Zambia.

dinggle:

I always knew the African countries would under perform, funny enough this seems to be the easiest world cup of all, strong footballing nations like England, Italy, Spain, France and Brazil are under performing who would have tot newbies Kiwi would disgrace the Italians or Americans and Algers would hold England to a spell draw and cause confusion in their camps. If an African country (Ghana or Ivory coast) do not win this world cup, we should be looking at the next 20yrs.

the "strong" footballing nations are not underperforming. They are being beaten and held by improved teams. that is what you're failing to realize. New Zealand didn't just get lucky. They matched Italy boot for boot. What are you people talking about.

I'm telling you for the african countries that get out of their groups, one of them will make the semis the way this world cup has gone so far.

What's wrong with Maradona?

Aloy+Emeka:

What's wrong with Maradona?

Aloy+Emeka:

What's wrong with Maradona?

As usuaL

Egypt would have done Africa proud in this tournament but alas Algeria played the spoiler role. Right now in their group Algeria continues to play the role of spoilers - people that don't want to progress and become a stumbling block to others. As for Ghana; their luck has started running out, 2 matches maximum and they are out. Nigeria is going out after next match. Cameroon will also be going home after their next match, same for South Africa which leaves only Ivory Coast. Alas and the man died; Drogba and his compatriots might find the African expectations too much for them so its bye bye.

a little positive note on African teams was the fact that this time there was not any bonus row within the African teams. Instead the chaos  has settle with France and England.

faakay:


As usuaL

he need stuff, he is a bloody junkie

The performance of the African teams is only a reflection of their backgrounds i.e. what's going on in their respective countries. As one of the posts indicate, corruption, tribalism, individuality at the expense of the team and lack of infrastructure can be of no help in building a winning team. Furthermore, failed or failing states cannot hope to perform well. Lastly, constantly hiring overpaid white men only shows our dementia - we keep doing the same things but expect different results. The coaches are working with damaged goods - they aren't magicians. At least a local can better navigate the undercurrents within a "team".

remember westerhof guys?

the most successful nigerian coach as far as world cup is concerned till date.

he coached us from 1989? to 1994. 5 yrs.

I cant remember the last time a coach lasted that long for the super eagles. Its fire brigade approach all the way. You expect Lagerbark to perform magic in a few months. You are joking.

@ topic

tell me abwt it, . . felt soo sorry 4 cameroon yday
after all da gd footbal they played tho they missed really easy goalz
fink is just bad luck lolz

The same problem disturbing african nations is the reason we are monkeying in SA2010
however it is not only africa, france,england ,italy,spain are fumbling and more will continue to fall,

^ true say. . .even da big names are messin up lolz
2many surprises ds year aliee. . .
even countries u neva thot were gd in football are makin life difficult 4 da so -called big names 

we africans do not have the confidence in ourself to deliver on a global scale

Everything is wrong with african teams!

Kudos to ghana

This world cup is filled up off bad luck and suprises. major teams are going out and teams which you expect a win from dont give you that win. Or maybe because its held on AFRICA SOIL and for MARADONA he is a drug taker thats it

Is this a trick question coz I'd think one only has to look at the state of Africa in general to answer that question.

On a lighter note. . .

[Quote]there has been little improvement since Zaire baffled everybody at the 1974 World Cup, losing 9-0 to Yugoslavia [/quote]

Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

What the heck were they doing on that field?!! Did they give everyone but the goalkeeper red cards?!

Aloy+Emeka:

What's wrong with Maradona?

abeg leave maradona, he is only trying to tuck-in his shirt

What do you expect when keep recycling old tired legs to compete in every tournament. Abi you think say na coach go play the match?

And 1 for Brazil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hey Africa!

I haven't looked too hard into this, so bear with me, but i doubt that the idea, poor performance of the African teams so far mirrors sociopolitical situations of the various countries, would stand up to scrutiny. It is almost axiomatic  for instance that sporting teams from politically unstable regions over-perform in competitions both compensating for national problems and in attempt to act as unifying and hope given force. Thus  the Iraq football team for a period outmatched many Mideast and Asian teams in a series of competitions. Further, are we certain that some of the well performing South American countries hail from stable and unproblematic polities?What of relatively affluent South Africa?

       
I wonder if lying for age, playing in Europe and being worn out, teams more determined to hold Africans to stop them from running away with it due to home advantage all conspired to bushwhack the African teams?


Nigeria should have pressed the Olympic teams or the supposedly under 20s and 17's teams into playing internationals, perhaps by now they would have been ready to represent us in this world cup without need to include a single one of the older crop of players.

Maybe the curse also included football. I don taya.

otokx:

Egypt would have done Africa proud in this tournament but alas Algeria played the spoiler role. Right now in their group Algeria continues to play the role of spoilers - people that don't want to progress and become a stumbling block to others. As for Ghana; their luck has started running out, 2 matches maximum and they are out. Nigeria is going out after next match. Cameroon will also be going home after their next match, same for South Africa which leaves only Ivory Coast. Alas and the man died; Drogba and his compatriots might find the African expectations too much for them so its bye bye.

what makes you think so? Remember they lost to England (friendly) and USA (confederations cup). If they are so good, they should have easily qualified from their group.