WC Countdown: Biggest African achievements

Slowly but surely, the African teams are getting up there, to the top of the World Cup competition – the final. This is bound to happen (sooner or later), and in the past, there were times when we thought that it was possible, but for various reasons, African national teams have failed to make their first appearance in the final. The biggest success any country from the continent had was 2022 World Cup semi-final for Morocco, who eventually finished in fourth place. Before the Atlas Lions, three more African teams managed to reach the quarterfinals.

WC Countdown: USA just a stepping stone for Atlas Lions

MOROCCO (Qatar 2022, semi-final)

When Walid Regragui was appointed as Morocco boss just three months before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, there were few who believed that the Atlas Lions would pass the group stage, yet alone reach the semi-final. But the new coach united the team and led them to a fantastic streak of six games, with only one defeat and two draws. Morocco eventually lost to France and later added another defeat in a game four third place, but other than that, Atlas Lions drew with Croatia (0-0) and defeated Belgium, Canada and Portugal, while they drew 0-0 with Spain in the Round of 16 and defeated them on penalties, forcing coach Luis Enrique to resign after the game.

WC Countdown: Can the Black Stars pull off an upset against England or Croatia?

GHANA (South Africa 2010, Quarter-final)

Before Morocco, Ghana was the closest to the semi-finals at the World Cup. The Black Stars participated at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa and had a good tournament until they reached Uruguay. In the group stage, they defeated Serbia 1-0, drew 1-1 with Australia and lost 1-0 to Germany, but that was enough for the Round of 16. They managed to knockout the USA and were 90 minutes away from the semi-finals, but then the infamous game with Uruguay happened. Luis Suarez acted as a keeper in the last minute of the 1/4 finals drama to prevent the Black Stars from scoring and advancing to the last four. He was, of course, sent off for that, but Asamoah Gyan needed to convert the penalty to provide his team with a victory. He missed and Uruguay later went to the semi-final after penalties. It was a disaster for both Black Stars and Gyan himself. They met again at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, but there was not any drama this time, as Uruguay won comfortably 2-0.

WC Countdown: Who are dark horses in the USA?

CAMEROON (Italy 1990 – Quarter final)

The new football generations will remember Morocco’s 2022 World Cup success, but for those older fans, there are two teams that are ‘untouchable’ – the 1994 Nigeria team (Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Sunday Oliseh) and the 1990 Senegal squad, led by legendary Roger Milla. That team became the first ever African nation to reach the quarter-finals at the World Cup. After them, only Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) managed it, before Morocco pushed the boundaries in 2022. The Indomitable Lions played a fantastic tournament, and showcased attacking football. What was even more impressive was their determination and never-say-die attitude. After all, who had more impressive start of the tournament?

WC Countdown: Best 11 Africans playing for other teams

Cameroon never gave up, even when they were two man down against raging world Champions Argentina, led by Diego Maradona. The Indomitable Lions took the lead and then held on with nine man on the pitch to claim a shocking win. The next game, a 2-1 win over Romania put Roger Milla in the spotlight. The legendary striker, coaxed out of retirement for the tournament, came on as a substitute and scored both goals. Their only loss before elimination was a 4-0 defeat from the Soviet Union. But Cameroon didn’t give up in the elimination round as well as they faced Colombia and won in extra time, thanks to Milla’s brace. The Indomitable Lions eventually went down from England, but they put a fight even in that match. Cameroon was leading 2-1, but eventually lost 3-2, thanks to a penalty brace by Gary Lineker.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Thursday, 11.06.

22.00: (1.50) Mexico (4.00) S.Africa (7.25)

Friday, 12. 06.

05.00: (2.70) S.Korea (3.10) Czech R. (2.75)

22.00: (1.85) Canada (3.70) B&H (4.25)

Saturday, 13.06.

04.00: (2.05) USA (3.35) Paraguay (3.80)

22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)

Sunday, 14.06.

01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)

04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)

07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)

20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)

02.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)

Monday, 15.06.

02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)

05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)

19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)

22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)

Tuesday 16.06.

01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)

04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***