A world Cup Perspective Part 2 of 5

[Workman]

A World Cup Perspective – Part 2 of 5

As we wait for the Draw on December 1, it may be time to look back at what were the toughest world cup group placements for Africa’s best.

Here’s an attempt to pick to the toughest five, among plenty. In Spain 82 Algeria shocked West Germany and Chile and needed a fake game between Austria/Germany to keep them from progressing. When Morocco made it to the 2nd round in Mexico 86 they had to get past Poland, England and Portugal. Cameroon’s exploits in Italia 90 started through Argentina, Romania, and Russia while in France 98 international pundits saw Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay and Bulgaria as the group of death.

So, here we go, from 5th to 1st.

5th. Germany 2006: Ivory Coast with Argentina, Holland, Serbia/Montenegro
This was arguably Ivory Coast’s strongest team with Drogba, Kone and the Toure brothers in their prime. The keeper position with Barry was seen as a weak spot and after 1-2 losses to Argentina and Holland, the 3-2 win in the final game was really a moral victory.

4th. Japan/Korea 2002: Senegal with France, Denmark and Uruguay
Senegal qualified from a group with Morocco, Egypt and Algeria with a stingy defense and an offense that had El-Haji Diouf, the African player of the year. The draw seemed to have a cruel reward for the debutants, but they started with one of Africa’s finest moments by beating the reigning champs France.

3rd. South Africa 2010: South Africa with Mexico, Uruguay and France
The seeding of host nations usually lead to favorable groups. Not so this time, as this was clearly the toughest group a host nation has faced in recent memory (It had 2 World Cup Winners!) South Africa fought valiantly and even defeated a factitious France in it’s last game, but in the end this was the first time a World Cup host got eliminated in the first round.

2nd. Brazil 2014: Ghana with USA, Germany, Portugal
Ghana was probably Africa’s strongest team going into this tournament with Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng and the Ayew Brothers. USA was highly motivated for revenge from 2006 & 2010. The highlight game was the 2-2 draw with eventual champions Germany. We could only wonder how the group would have turned out if Christiano Ronaldo was fully fit, or if Ghana did not have the embarrassing money issues.

1st. Japan/Korea 2002. Nigeria with Argentina, Sweden, England
This group is sometimes remembered as the toughest group of death in recent history. Even after defeating Nigeria 1-0, Argentina was yet eliminated in the first round. This Nigeria team was without key players due to the “early retirement” of Oliseh, Finidi, Ikpeba and Agali. It showed, with a poor performance only better than that of South Africa 2010.

Part 3 – 5 perspectives will be posted the month before the World Cup.

[joao]

Great perspectives and write-up. Keep up the good work.

[Workman]

Much appreciated. Hoping for favorable draw especially Naija.