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World Cup: What Chances for Africa’s Representatives? (26.05.2006)
Cameroon Tribune launches a series on the 2006 World Cup finals with focus on the state of preparation of Africa’s representatives.
In exactly two weeks, the 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup will begin in Germany. A total of 736 footballers from 32 teams are taking part in the event considered the greatest sporting festival in the world. Africa will be represented by five countries - Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Ghana and Togo. But for Tunisia which is in its fourth World Cup participation, it will be a first of its kind experience for the four other African teams.
Sceptics have been quick to underrate the might of Germany-bound African teams. Their mediocre performance at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt, which saw most of them eliminated after the first round, added more reason to this stigma. However, history has proven that the status of debutant does not make a team less combative. In 1982, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon left Spain unbeaten after three draws in the first round matches. In 1994, the Super Eagles of Nigeria finished first in their group ahead of Argentina. In 2002, The Teranga Lions of Senegal beat the reigning champions, France, in their first match and went right up to the quarter finals! Africans are still hoping that Togo, Angola, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire will leave their mark. The teams are galvanised by popular home support and financial incentives from their governments and other private structures.
Of all the newcomers, Côte d’Ivoire is considered the greatest threat. Understandably so because the Elephants put on an honourable performance at the African Nations Cup in Egypt. They finished runners up after losing on penalties. Their star player, Didier Drogba, says the Elephants will travel to Germany determined "to show the whole world how far African football has come". However Côte d’Ivoire’s Group C has been considered as the group of death. They will have to face Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro to make it to the round of 16. It is for this reason that the Elephants have been preparing seriously for the event. The Ivorians will play fellow World Cup finalists Switzerland in Basle tomorrow. They will then move to France where they meet Chile in Vittel on 30 May and Slovenia at Evry-Bondoufle in the Paris region on 4 June. The federation said the Ivorian squad would
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depart for Germany on 9 June, the day before they play Argentina in their Group C match in Hamburg.
Togo and Angola are very enthusiastic. The Hawks of Togo have been together since May 10, 2006, and were the first squad to arrive in Germany. They have been training in Wangen and will have several friendly ties against German teams before they begin their finals campaign against 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea in Frankfurt on 13 June. They will also take on Switzerland on 19 June and 1998 World champions France on 23 June. Angola, on the other hand, were the third finalists to arrive in Germany . The Palancas Negras would play in Group D against Portugal, Mexico and Iran. They will play three friendlies - on 31 May against Argentina in Naples, on 2 June against Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen and on 5 June against the United States in Norderstedt, near Hanover.
The Black Stars of Ghana are set to shine. The four-time African Cup of Nations winners would want to make their first world cup memorable. Serbian-born coach Ratomir Dujkovic made wholesale changes from the squad which performed so badly at the CAF African Cup of Nations in January. The shining lights in this Black Stars team are captain Appiah and Chelsea man Michael Essien - the most expensive player in the history of African football — who together with Udinese`s skilful Muntari, give Ghana a formidable-looking midfield.
Tunisia are making their fourth FIFA World Cup finals appearance and will meet Ukraine, Spain and Saudi Arabia in Group H. The Carthage Eagles will want to repeat the feat of 1978, when they became the first African country to win a game at the finals of the FIFA World Cup after beating Mexico 3-1 in their very first group match. With top-class performers such as Ziad Jaziri, Santos, Adel Chadli and captain Hatem Trabelsi within their ranks, the Carthage Eagles have justifiably heightened expectations, all the more so as young striker Haykel Guemamdia is gradually establishing himself among the finest strikers in Africa.
From all indications, Africans are going to the world cup with no complex. Today, we begin a series on the world cup that will run till July 9, 2006 when the competition ends. We will begin with a presentation of all the contenders and main actors and continue with an exhaustive coverage of the 52 matches.
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