Five African teams will represent the continent at the FIFA World Cup, with African champions Senegal spearheading the challenge.
The Senegalese are joined by fellow West Africans, Ghana, Cameroon and the North African duo of Morocco and Tunisia.
How much of an impact can these teams have at the World Cup in Qatar?
The World Cup is into its 22nd edition, and yet, no African team has gone beyond the quarter finals of the tournament. And it isn’t as if African teams reach the quarter finals very frequently- that has only happened three times.
Cameroon were the first to get that far when the Indomitable Lions reached the last eight in 1990. It took African another 12 years to return to the quarter final stage, with Senegal achieving the feat in 2002. The continent’s most recent trip to the last eight was in 2010, when Ghana made it that far. In truth, the Ghanaians were very unfortunate not to scale that quarter final hurdle, having been an Asamoah Gyan penalty away from beating Uruguay in a feisty last eight tie in South Africa.
Interestingly, the three teams that have made the quarters are back, with Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana flying Africa’s flag along with Morocco and Tunisia. How far can these teams go in Qatar? The first bit is for them to clear the round robin phase.
Senegal (Group A, with Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands)
On paper, Senegal have got arguably the best groups of all the African teams in the draw.
Qatar, as hosts and Asian champions, will have their tails up and be eager to please the home crowd, but considering the other teams in Pot 1 (Brazil, Portugal, England, Belgium and the likes), getting Qatar was the best-case scenario for Senegal.
The biggest name in the group is the Netherlands, but the Dutch are still a team in transition, and do not carry as much quality as they used to do.
Of course, they remain a formidable proposition, boasting top quality players like Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay, but Senegal will fancy having a go at the Europeans. The Ecuadorians are a bit of an unknown bunch these days, but if you finish fourth in the grueling South American qualifiers, then you must have something about you. They will be dangerous.
Netherlands are probably favourites to win this group, but Senegal should be very disappointed if they fail to bag one of the qualifying spots.
If you are going to bet on any of the African teams at the FIFA World Cup, then it’s probably Senegal. The best betting sites in Nigeria all have great World Cup markets, and will allow you to bet on teams to qualify from the group phase, among many other options.
Tunisia (Group D, with France and Denmark)
With France and Denmark in the group, this is a really difficult task for the Tunisians. France are the defending champions, and as long as they do not hit the self-destruct button, they should be fine, while Denmark are coming off a brilliant semi-final run at the European championship.
It will take a very brave man indeed to bet against these two teams qualifying for the second round from this group.
Tunisia have not been the most convincing of teams in recent times. They were pretty ordinary at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they stumbled into the quarter finals despite losing to Gambia in the group phase, while they barely managed to scrap past Mali in the play-offs.
They are a team built on solidity and organisation, rather than flamboyance. They are going to need plenty of that, and then some, if they are to progress beyond the group phase.
Morocco (Group F, with Belgium, Croatia and Canada)
In terms of depth of talent and quality of football, Morocco are arguably the best team in Africa.
Put them in any other group and they will probably qualify for the knockouts, but they have been dealt a really rough draw, with the No. 1 team in the world, Belgium, and the beaten finalists from the last World Cup, Croatia, in their group.
That being said, Morocco are good enough to give any team in this group a good game.
Belgium will most likely win this group, but that shoot-out between Morocco and Croatia will decide which team joins Roberto Martinez’s men in the last 16.
Cameroon (Group G, with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland)
This is another very tough group- for every team involved- but if you are going to go to war with any national football team in Africa, it’s most likely the Cameroonians.
In their true indomitable spirit, they stared elimination in the face during their World Cup play-off against Algeria, only to rebound to stun their North African foes at the death and snatch their ticket to the Mundial.
Naturally, Brazil are favourites to win this group, but with two stubborn and capable European teams, and a fearless African side, this one may not be that straightforward. Cameroon are definitely in with a shout of making the last 16.
Ghana (Group H, with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea)
Old foes are reacquainted in Group H as Ghana faces Uruguay, their controversial conquerors in the 2010 World Cup quarter finals.
Both teams are much changed from the days of Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez, but the events from that night in Soccer City will not be lost on any of the players on the field. That should make for a cracking contest.
Of course, this group is not just about Ghana and Uruguay.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are the seeded side, and the favourites to go through, but Portugal’s recent history of being slow starters in big tournaments renders them vulnerable to some early trouble in Qatar.
Having said that, it will be a surprise if the Portuguese crash out at the group phase. There isn’t that much to choose between Ghana, Uruguay and Korea.
Things are definitely looking promising for Africa, with Senegal and Morocco being the continent’s biggest prospects heading into the World Cup.
