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JOHANNESBURG . — Africa is the conveyor belt of talent that has graced the globe’s biggest football leagues.
It is somewhat a mystery that no country from the continent has ever won the World Cup, let alone reach the semi-finals of FIFA’s prime tournament, first held in 1930.
Brazilian Pele, among the most decorated players in the tournament’s history, famously predicted that an African nation would win the World Cup by the year 2000.
Now, 22 years after the elapsed timeframe, the globe will converge in Qatar for the first World Cup on Arab soil, with the question raging if an African team will at last lift the famous 6,1-kilogramme trophy.
Except for Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana reaching the quarter-finals, in 1990, 2002 and 2010, African teams have been the whipping boys at this tournament.
These three countries are back for the Qatar edition of the tournament, joined by Morocco and Tunisia, being the five African representatives at the 32-team tournament.
Reigning continental champions, Senegal, also the highest ranked in the continent and 18th in the world, will carry most of the continent’s hopes.
The West Africans are in a tricky Group A alongside the hosts Qatar, Ecuador and perennial favourites but underachievers, Netherlands.
Coach Aliou Cisse’s golden generation of Teranga Lions are buoyed by their going to the Middle East as the reigning African kings. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is also the reigning Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. Sadio Mane is not only one of the fastest forwards in the world but is one of the most fearsome frontmen in the sport.
Kalidou Koulibaly is generally acknowledged to be one of the most formidable defenders.
Cisse was a member of the 2002 team that shocked the football world by beating then-champions France and advancing to the last eight.
Tunisia are in Group D alongside holders France, Australia and Denmark.
They can only be underrated at their opponents’ peril.
While previous campaigns have been disappointing, the Carthage Eagles are the first African team to win a World Cup match in 1978 when they beat fancied Mexico 3-1.
Coach Jalel Kadri’s trusted lieutenants include extraordinary box-to-box midfielder, Ellyes Skhiri, and defender Dylan Bronn. Youssef Msakni won’t need time to adapt to the conditions in Qatar, as he already stars for local side Al Duhail.
Fellow North Africans, Morocco, must navigate their way out of Group F where favourites Belgium, Canada and 2018 runners-up, Croatia, lurk.
Coach Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions have in their side Yassine Bounou, statistically the best goalkeeper in the Spanish top-flight where he represents Sevilla.
Romain Saiss, the ball-playing centre-half, remains a key figure for the North Africans while right-wingback, Achraf Hakimi, has international pedigree.
In 1986, Morocco were the first African team to reach round of 16.
It is 32 years since Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions won the hearts of the football world en-route to reaching the quarter-finals at Italia 90.
Since then, they have flattered only to deceive. — CAJ News.
Online Reporter