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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Sports / 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled (25692 Views)
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2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by cheapgoals(m): 6:07pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Out of the 32 teams gunning for Glory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, 5 of them will represent the Confederation Of African Football (CAF) region. Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, MoroccO, and Tunisia will be flying the African flags this year with usual big names who have participated in the past few world cups like Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory coast missing out. African appearance at the world cup started in 1934 when Egypt featured at the 2nd edition hosted in Italy, the pharaohs crashed out in the first round than where the competition was in the knockout format, the North Africans, however, have since only managed to qualify twice for the Mundial. The next time an African team would later feature at the world cup was 36 years later in Mexico 1970 where Morocco featured. It was until Spain 1982 before Africa got 2 slots at the world cup and it was so until 1994 before it was raised to 3 slots and then raised up to 5 at France 1998 which has been upheld since then. This year, Salah, Mane, John Obi Mikel, Mehdi Benatia will be hoping to lead their teams beyond the Quarterfinals which have been beyond the reach of the 13 different African teams that have at one time or the other participated at the world cup. With less than 3 days left to the opening match of this year’s world cup, Cheapgoals.com profiles the African representatives • NIGERIA ![]() Captain: John Mikel Obi Best World Cup Finish: R16 (1994, 98, 2014) Manager: Gernot Rohr Debut: USA 1994 No of Appearances: 6th The Super Eagles endured a tough group for qualification to the world cup after drawing Cameroon, Algeria, and Zambia in group B but they made an easy work of their group qualifying with a game to spare although the last match against Algeria a 1-1 draw was overturned to a 3-0 win for the Algerians after Nigeria fielded an ineligible player. However, that didn’t overshadow their impressive results during the qualifiers against Cameroon in Uyo which ended in an emphatic 4-0 win and another 3-1 win against Algeria at the same venue. The team will, however, face tougher tests at the world cup finals after been drawn in Group D alongside Europeans Croatia, Iceland and familiar foes in Argentina whom they will be facing for the 5th time in the history of the competition. Ranked as the underdogs in the group, the Nigerians have been unimpressive in their recent friendlies approaching the world cup losing to the Czech Republic, England and Serbia while drawing DR Congo. The recent uninspiring performances have led to lowered expectations from fans which were previously high after a brilliant display in the 4-2 defeat of Argentina in a friendly in November 2017 and a resilient 1-0 win over a Robert Lewandoski led Poland in March this year. Possessing a squad with a mixture of youthful talents and experienced veterans led by the likes of Mikel, Victor Moses, Echiejile and Onazi, Alex Iwobi, Iheanach, Tyronne Ebuehi the Super Eagles, however, lack trusted hands between the post as inexperienced rookie Francis Uzoho looks likely to be the Number 1 for the Nigerians, a situation which many have touted to affect the chances of the 3-time African champions. Vincent Enyeama’s retirement from the national team and Carl Ikeme’s battle with leukemia has left Gernot Rhor searching for a reliable goalkeeper starting with Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu before settling for Deportivo’s handler Uzoho. However, with the Super Eagles unpredictable nature of rising to the occasion when least expected, one can expect the round of 16 finish from the West Africans. MATCHES JUNE 6: CROATIA – NIGERIA JUNE 22: NIGERIA – ICELAND JUNE 26: NIGERIA – ARGENTINA WORLD CUP SQUAD ![]() Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United). Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor), Tyronne Ebuehi (Den Haag), Elderson Echiejile (Brugge), Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), William Ekong (Bursaspor), Leon Balogun (Brighton), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa). Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Tianjin TEDA), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester), Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Joel Obi (Torino). Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone) • EGYPT ![]() Captain: essam El Hadary Best World Cup Finish: Group stage (1934, 1990) Manager: Hector Cuper Debut: Italia 1934 No of Appearances: 3rd Despite being the record winners of the African Cup of Nations with 7 trophies to their cabinet, 2 runners-up medal and three 3rd place finishes, the Pharaohs have never passed the group stages in the last 2 appearances at the world cup. More surprising is the fact that during their six-year dominance on the African scene winning the AFCON from 2006 till 2010 they failed to appear on the world scene in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. Furthermore, both appearances at the world cup had a reasonably long period of absence in between them but after 28 years of missing out of the global fiesta Mohammed Salah rose up to be the savior, top scoring for Egypt with five goals during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, including both goals in the decisive 2–1 victory over Congo, one of which was a penalty in the last minute to make the Pharaohs reach their first World Cup finals since 1990. Although their recent friendly results have been poor with loses to Belgium, Portugal and Greece including draws with Kuwait and Colombia, Mohammed Salah’s recent fitness report should boost the Morales of the team and fans alike. The Liverpool forward was feared to possibly miss out of the world cup having being injured in the UEFA champions league final against Real Madrid in May. With the new generation of talents coming from the North Africans led by legendary goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah, West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazy, Arsenal’s Mohammed Elneny, the future looks bright and a round of 16 appearance looks possible after being grouped alongside the hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group. MATCHES JUNE 15: EGYPT – URUGUAY JUNE 19: RUSSIA – EGYPT JUNE 25: SAUDI ARABIA – EGYPT WORLD CUP SQUAD ![]() Goalkeepers: Essam El Hadary (Al Taawoun), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly) Defenders: [/b]Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Saad Samir (Al Ahly), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Al Fateh), Ahmed Hegazi (West Brom), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC); [b]Midfielders: [/b]Tarek Hamed, (Zamalek), Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdallah Said (Al Ahli), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Mahmoud Kahraba (Al Ittihad), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City), Mahmoud Hassan (Kasimpasa), Amr Warda (Atromitos Athens) [b]Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) • SENEGAL ![]() Captain: Cheikhou Kouyaté Best World Cup Finish: Quarterfinal (2002) Manager: Aliou Cissé Debut: Korea/Japan 2002 No of Appearances: 2nd Senegal are one of the three African teams to go unbeaten during the qualifiers (others being Egypt & Nigeria) and that’s not to say their journey to the finals was devoid of drama. A 2-1 defeat to the South Africans in their second game was later annulled when the referee was found to have manipulated the match by awarding a penalty for a non-existent handball. Aliou Cisse’s team then drew their next two games with Burkino Faso before getting back on track with a 2-0 win in Cape Verde. Qualification was secured with a 2-0 victory in the rescheduled match with South Africa in Polokwane. The Teranga Lions of Senegal will be appearing at their 2nd world cup after their debut in 16 years ago where they handed a shock defeat to the champion, France at the group stage before going further to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Led by the likes of Saido Mane, Keita Balde, Senegal finished atop their qualification group which had Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and South Africa and they will hope to replicate the records of the legendary team of 2002 which had current team coach Aliou Cisse, El Hadji Diouf, Papa Diop and co which went all the way to the last 8th of the competition. Their warm-up matches to the world cup have not been impressive either drawing against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, and Uzbekistan while losing to Croatia before posting a morale-boosting 2-0 win against South Korea in their last warm-up game. They will face Poland, Japan and Colombia in Russia MATCHES June 19: POLAND vs SENEGAL June 24: JAPAN vs SENEGAL June 28: SENEGAL vs COLOMBIA WORLD CUP SQUAD ![]() Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya AC), Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes), Alfred Gomis (Torino) Defenders: Kara Mbodji (Anderlecht), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Moussa Wague (Eupen), Saliou Ciss (Angers), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor), Armand Traore (Nottingham Forest), Salif Sane (Hannover 96) Midfielders: Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Stoke), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Cheikh N’Doye (Birmingham) Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Diao Balde Keita (Monaco), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes), Diafra Sakho (Rennes), Moussa Konate (Amiens), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke), Mbaye Niang (AC Milan). • MOROCCO ![]() Captain: Mehdi Benatia Best World Cup Finish: R16 1986 Manager: Herve Renard Debut: Mexico 1970 No of Appearances: 5th The Atlas Lions are Africa’s most in-form team ahead of the World Cup having gone 10 games unbeaten (winning 8 and drawing 2) in all competitions since their 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the 2019 AFCON qualifier played in June 2017. More impressive is their qualification record where they got 4points each from their group opponents which consisted of Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mali scoring 11 goals and conceding none, going undefeated throughout the qualifiers. Their form was translated to their home-based team who went on to win the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) on home soil defeating Nigeria 4-0 in the final. Ayoub Elkaabi who was the top scorer in that competition earned a call-up from the national team which also includes Hakim Ziyech, Nordi Amrabaat and Achraf Hakimi by coach Herve Renard to the main team for the world cup; their first since France 1998. They may have defeated Slovakia, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Estonia drew Ukraine in their warm-up games however, they face a mission impossible to qualify from Group B at the world cup where they are grouped alongside 2010 champions Spain, European champions Portugal and Iran. MATCHES June 15: MOROCCO vs IR IRAN June 20: PORTUGAL vs MOROCCO June 25: SPAIN vs MOROCCO WORLD CUP SQUAD ![]() Goalkeepers: [/b]Mounir Mohamedi (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger) [b]Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid), Hamza Mendyl (Lille) Midfielders: Mbark Boussoufa (Al Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray), Faycal Fajr (Getafe), Amine Harit (Schalke) Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (St. Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes), Mehdi Carcela (Standard Liege), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax), Youssef En Nesyri (Malaga) • TUNISIA ![]() Captain: Aymen Mathlouthi Best World Cup Finish: Group stage Manager: Nabil Maaloul Debut: 1978 No of Appearances: 5th Russia 2018 is the fifth appearance for the Carthage Eagles at the world cup, despite their decent appearance record at the world cup the Carthage Eagles have failed to make any meaningful impact yet at the world cup, going out of the group stages on each occasion. The North Africans had a relatively easy group during qualification after they were drawn with DR Congo, Libya, and Guinea. 6games 4wins and 2draws and an abysmal scoring record of 11goals in 6 matches were all they needed to for their first world cup in 12 years Their top scorer Youssef Msakni has been ruled out with injury and it is left to see where Tunisians will draw their goalscoring inspirations from. Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri could be an alternative for set pieces but it is left to see what impact he will make against the likes of England, Belgium, and Panama in Group G. However, they have posted impressive performances in recent friendlies, losing 1-0 to Spain, drawing 2-2 against Turkey and Portugal and posting 1-0 wins against Iran and Costa Rica. MATCHES JUNE 18: TUNISIA – ENGLAND JUNE 23: BELGIUM – TUNISIA JUNE 28: PANAMA – TUNISIA WORLD CUP SQUAD ![]() Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha (Al Shabab), Moez Hassen (Chateauroux), Aymen Mathlouthi (Al Baten) Defenders: Rami Bedoui (Etoile du Sahel), Yohan Benalouane (Leicester City), Syam Ben Youssef (Kasimpasa), Dylan Bronn (Gent), Oussama Haddadi (Dijon), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek) Midfielders: Anice Badri (Esperance), Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Al Ahli Riyadh), Ghaylene Chaalali (Esperance), Ahmed Khalil (Club Africain), Saifeddine Khaoui (Troyes), Ferjani Sassi (Al Nasr), Ellyes Skhiri (Montpellier), Naim Sliti (Dijon), Bassem Srarfi (Nice) Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Al Ittifaq), Saber Khalifa (Club Africain), Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 1 – The only time Africa have hosted the world cup, in 2010 when South Africa had the honors. They could be joined by Morocco should the North Africans be awarded the rights on Wednesday 13th of to 2018 to host the 2026 world ahead of a joint bid from USA/Canada/Mexico. 2 – No African team has appeared at the quarter-final stage of the world cup on 2 different occasions, neither has any 2 African teams made the quarterfinals in one single world cup edition. 3- In fact since 1934 that Egypt made Africa’s bow at the world cup and despite 12 more teams following suit much later, only 3 teams from Africa have made the quarterfinals; Cameroon in Italia 1990, Senegal in Korea/Japan 2002 and Ghana in South Africa 2010 13- The number of African teams that have appeared at the world cup. The list is topped by Cameroon (7), Nigeria (6), Morocco & Tunisia (5), Algeria (4), Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa & Egypt (3), Senegal (2), Zaire, Angola & Togo (1) 19- is the age that makes Nigerian Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho the youngest goalkeeper to ever appear at the world cup. Nigeria’s team is the youngest team in this year’s tournament with an average age of just 25 years old. 45- the age that makes Egyptian legendary goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary the oldest goalkeeper and player to appear at the world cup eclipsing Colombia’s second choice goalkeeper to Brazil 2014 Faryd Mondragon’s record of 43 years old during the last World Cup. Source: http://cheapgoals.com/2018-world-cup-african-hopefuls-in-russia-profiled/ 5 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by TheAngry1: 8:18pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
I foresee Nigeria topping her group and avoiding France in the round of 16. We will meet Denmark and then Uruguay in the quarter finals. We will eventually lose to Germany in the semis. Na faith o! Make anybody no insult me o! Dreaming is free ![]() ![]() ![]() 40 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Kingdolo(m): 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
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Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by abbaapple: 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
![]() FTC Smh So am not FTC ![]() 1 Like |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by lexyman(m): 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Nigeria will go beyond round of 16 and we will be the first Africa to reach the final ... we re flying very high this time .... 11 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by MDsambo: 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
That moment when you realised that only Islamic nations will be representing Africa. 9 Likes
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Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by slapandfall(m): 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
S |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Nobody: 8:19pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Naija all the way |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by ClintonEmex: 8:20pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
All of them are in hard groups, but I expect Egypt to qualify. Senegal has a chance also. Nigeria's group is just unpredictable. As for Tunisia and Morocco, they should just enjoy the two weeks holiday because England and Belgium with Spain and Portugal won't give them any chance. We have something to boast of in terms of world cup in Africa, appearing at it six times is not a joke. We should just try and pass round of 16, I want us to break that barrier or jinx. Meanwhile, I predict Brazil, Argentina or England to win this world cup. 9 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by phlamesG: 8:20pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
If Uzoho is 19 then I'm still an embryo ![]() 20 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by MrTour: 8:21pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Ok |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by KrystosCJ(m): 8:21pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
If an African nation wins a World Cup, that would be exhilarating!!! |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by SoulB6: 8:21pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Islamatization of Africa 2 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by IME1: 8:21pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
![]() But football is not mathematics na 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by CoolFreeday(m): 8:22pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Naija all the way!! 100% Naija 2 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by phlamesG: 8:22pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
slapandfall: Why u quote everything mumu ![]() 6 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Theoan: 8:22pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Egypt where are thou |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by abbeyty(m): 8:23pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Please, change that Nigeria vs Croatia match, it seems the date is not correct. |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Allylic(f): 8:23pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Team Nigeria |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by WAPKOSHCOMNG(m): 8:24pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
slapandfall:Why so wicked? Why did you quote all the post? ![]() |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by banjeezay(m): 8:24pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Nigeria, na only our own dey get jara, from jersey to cloth wey dem wear travel. If to say na like that our football style sef get jara ni, e for make sense 8 Likes
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Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by oshe11: 8:24pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Argentina for the Cup 2 Likes |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Emmyk(m): 8:25pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
The Moroccan coach looks like Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones. 17 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Samogbo1(m): 8:28pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
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Re: 2018 World Cup : African Hopefuls In Russia Profiled by Suko110(m): 8:29pm On Jun 12, 2018 |
Our goalkeeper 19years... udonmenit 15 Likes
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