Which African team has the easiest and the hardest group?

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

Nigeria will get knocked out in the 1st round.
Senegal and Egypt have a very good chance of making it to the 2nd round.

does your Nigerian wife know that you are trying very hard to be the Cameroon equivalent of TFCO?

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

I might be in the minority but I think the continental African teams got a good draw.

The teams in the slightly tougher group know they need to work hard to get out of the group. Get your points early before teams settle in...

The teams I worry about is Senegal and Naijaria... they might become complacent and not put in the necessary graft it takes to beat teams you are supposed to beat.

The strongest team out of continental Africa is Morocco. then Naijaria... Then Egypt... then Senegal and lastly Tunisia. I would have ranked Senegal and Egypt joint second but those teams are overreliant on one player... Sane for Senegal and Salah for Egypt. The other teams are more complete.

Now, I pray that both Sane and Salah remain healthy going into the World Cup... but the way both players play and the number of games they have to play this season, it will be a tall order.

Doesn't Sane play for Germany? Do you mean Mane?

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

Nigeria will get knocked out in the 1st round.
Senegal and Egypt have a very good chance of making it to the 2nd round.

This Plantain dude is yarning dust when World Cup teams are talking. 4-0 is not enough for you. Let them let you host AFCON, and you will collect part 2 of the beating that you were saved from thanks to Victor Moses and a soft penalty.

All the African countries except Tunisia have a fair chance of making the 2nd round.

Senegal have the easiest group, but I worry about their toughness. They were not impressive in qualifying. Burkina dominated them and they have a red card to thank for surviving that game. They only looked OK against Cape Verde and the rescheduled Bafana game.

every time his Naija madam refuses to make plantains for him, he comes here to yarn dust about Naija

[Tunisian Gooner]

my beloved tunisia cement footed, awful CB's vs Hazard, sterling, Kane, Debruyne, Lukaku.....

Dr Congo would have done better in my opinion. They at least have flair upfront.

Tunisia issue is not flair or lack of dynamic players, on the ball by far this is the best Tunisian side that will enter a WC since the golden era team of 78. Issue for this Tunisian side is we're awful defensively, so slow and lumbering at the back. Idea of Syam ben youssef against likes of Hazard, Lukaku, Kane, Sterling will cause many sleepless nights for manager Nabil Maaloul.

[joao]

I will be shocked if 3 to 4 African teams don't make last 16.
Nigeria will top their group if they win their first game.Very important win the first game.
Who is SE playing in the second game?

Three teams will qualify to the second round. Only Morocco and Tunisia are not going to make it through

Ayo, who informed you of the highlighted?
Bro, please you need to calm down and don't get burnt out before the tournament.

[green4life]

I don't understand how Uruguay and Russia make up an "easy group."

Would you rather Argentina and Croatia as your South American and European teams in your group... Or perhaps Brazil and Spain tickle your fancy.

Egypt is in an easy group. If doesn't get any easier in this world cup.

[King Futcha]

I might be in the minority but I think the continental African teams got a good draw.

The teams in the slightly tougher group know they need to work hard to get out of the group. Get your points early before teams settle in...

The teams I worry about is Senegal and Naijaria... they might become complacent and not put in the necessary graft it takes to beat teams you are supposed to beat.

The strongest team out of continental Africa is Morocco. then Naijaria... Then Egypt... then Senegal and lastly Tunisia. I would have ranked Senegal and Egypt joint second but those teams are overreliant on one player... Sane for Senegal and Salah for Egypt. The other teams are more complete.

Now, I pray that both Sane and Salah remain healthy going into the World Cup... but the way both players play and the number of games they have to play this season, it will be a tall order.

when is the last time you watched Senegal? When they had Fadiga and Camara?

They are not overreliant on Mane, pure nonsense.

[marutimon]

Apart from Mane Senegal have at least 5 elite players in Kalidou Koulibaly (Monaco), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Keita Balde (Monaco), Mbaye Niang (Torino)

Not to mention they have attacking players like Ismaila Sarr, Opa Nguette and Moussa Konate, who are the talk of the town in Ligue 1 this season.

If they get their act together this is really a team loaded with enough quality to make a record run. But they don't have Nigeria's team.

[ElHadary]

You can score only 2 goals and still advance. We had a tougher ACN group and scored goals. What makes you think we'll struggle for goals?

Outside of Salah our attack is pretty toothless. My hope is that Abd Rabo and Shikabala are in game shape by the time the WC comes around, if so our offense will be stacked.

All these years later and you're still clueless about our national team. Abd Rabo is a CENTRAL MIDFIELDER who last played for the national team over 3 YEARS AGO

He is 33 years old and has averaged about 1 goal per 7 games over his career because again, he is a CENTRAL MIDFIELDER.

Shikabala has been useless for much of his career and even if he makes the WC squad (5% chance), he is unlikely to play a meaningful minute.

Please actually follow the NT and pay attention to details before sharing your 'expert' analysis.

Werent you the dummy who had some sort of sick obsession with $#% talking Fathallah? Listen, just because you live in the frozen wasteland known as Canada where you elect a Disney princess to be your prime minister doesn't mean you can take that teenage angst out on me.

You are the only Egyptian on the planet who thinks Abd Rabo is a striker

Abd Rabo was one of the few reasons why Meteeb even got any goals. For awhile he was our best ball moving midfielder.

[theYemster]

I don't understand how Uruguay and Russia make up an "easy group."

Maybe not easy but definitely easier group (compared to the rest). Russia isn't just the lowest of the pot1 teams, they are also the lowest seeded team in the entire tourney; Saudi Arabia is what it is. Uruguay is the only challenge.

Or would you prefer to switch groups with Nigeria or Morocco?

[Mr Shows]

Morocco might have 3 points on the log before they face Spain or Portugal. If Spain and Portugal draw in the opening game, that could put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Tunisia are the ones who have it all to do. But draw England and things get pretty interesting.

[airwolex]

I don't understand how Uruguay and Russia make up an "easy group."

Maybe not easy but definitely easier group (compared to the rest). Russia isn't just the lowest of the pot1 teams, they are also the lowest seeded team in the entire tourney; Saudi Arabia is what it is. Uruguay is the only challenge.

Or would you prefer to switch groups with Nigeria or Morocco?

KPOM. Russia is plain bad. Home advantage will give them a bump but not by much. Uruguay have Cavani and Suarez so they will always be dangerous but they can be handled. If I was Egyptian I would be optimistic.

[Heliopolis]

I don't understand how Uruguay and Russia make up an "easy group."

Maybe not easy but definitely easier group (compared to the rest). Russia isn't just the lowest of the pot1 teams, they are also the lowest seeded team in the entire tourney; Saudi Arabia is what it is. Uruguay is the only challenge.

Or would you prefer to switch groups with Nigeria or Morocco?

KPOM. Russia is plain bad. Home advantage will give them a bump but not by much. Uruguay have Cavani and Suarez so they will always be dangerous but they can be handled. If I was Egyptian I would be optimistic.

Egyptian fans who don't realize how easy our group is don't know anything about this sport.

Russia is ranked 65th (worst in the WC) and Saudi Arabia is 63rd (2nd worst in the WC). The best team in the group is undoubtedly Uruguay, which is ranked 21st. I'd much rather take Uruguay than a real top seed like Germany, France, Brazil, or Argentina.

Russia hasn't played much competitive soccer in recent years. When they did, they bombed (last in their Euro 2016 group and 3rd in their Confederations Cup group at home). They wouldn't have qualified for this World Cup. What they obviously have going for them is home field advantage which should never be underestimated. The most comparable examples of weak WC hosts were South Africa in 2010 and the US in 1994. Russia is better than both teams and will finish with at least 4 points (they will beat Saudi Arabia).

Saudi Arabia is the weakest team in the group and will only be rounding out the numbers.

Uruguay is highly likely to advance. They have the most talent including 2 of the best strikers on the planet and a ton of experience under their belts over the past 7 years.

[Man Ataye]

Only one African team might make it to the knockout stages.

Tunisia might make it too if they get points in their first game against England.
This will be a good World Cup.

Tunisia!? They're going to get devoured by England and especially Belgium.

Tunisia can make it I have faith in them. No b effry time person dey open nyash. Go Africa. Support dem

[marutimon]

I have absolutely no faith in Tunisia, but god knows I will be crossing my fingers for them and Panama. Just hate England and Belgium...

[kastro11]

Egyptian fans who don't realize how easy our group is don't know anything about this sport.

Russia is ranked 65th (worst in the WC) and Saudi Arabia is 63rd (2nd worst in the WC). The best team in the group is undoubtedly Uruguay, which is ranked 21st. I'd much rather take Uruguay than a real top seed like Germany, France, Brazil, or Argentina.

Russia hasn't played much competitive soccer in recent years. When they did, they bombed (last in their Euro 2016 group and 3rd in their Confederations Cup group at home). They wouldn't have qualified for this World Cup. What they obviously have going for them is home field advantage which should never be underestimated. The most comparable examples of weak WC hosts were South Africa in 2010 and the US in 1994. Russia is better than both teams and will finish with at least 4 points (they will beat Saudi Arabia).

Saudi Arabia is the weakest team in the group and will only be rounding out the numbers.

Uruguay is highly likely to advance. They have the most talent including 2 of the best strikers on the planet and a ton of experience under their belts over the past 7 years.

-----------------El Hadary---------------
--Gaber--Gabr--Hegazy--Hafez--
-------------Elneny---Gomaa-----------
------Salah-----Warda----Sobhi-----
--------------------Koka-------------------


This would be something close to my tournament 11. At least for the first match. Cuper will never play a team like that though unfortunately. If Mostafa Fathi is fit, it's going to be difficult to decide who starts on the LW between him/Sobhi/Trezeguet.

Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed Abdel-Shafy should not even be in the squad. Both are major liabilities, and not good enough anymore. Ramy Rabia is also a liability and should never start over Aly Gabr - like he has been recently. Gabr + Hegazy is a solid partnership that we should continue to develop.

Abdullah Said will definitely start in place of Warda. I wouldn't play him though due to Warda's form this season . He's often guilty of turning over possession - my main gripe with him - but he has his qualities.

[Heliopolis]

Egyptian fans who don't realize how easy our group is don't know anything about this sport.

Russia is ranked 65th (worst in the WC) and Saudi Arabia is 63rd (2nd worst in the WC). The best team in the group is undoubtedly Uruguay, which is ranked 21st. I'd much rather take Uruguay than a real top seed like Germany, France, Brazil, or Argentina.

Russia hasn't played much competitive soccer in recent years. When they did, they bombed (last in their Euro 2016 group and 3rd in their Confederations Cup group at home). They wouldn't have qualified for this World Cup. What they obviously have going for them is home field advantage which should never be underestimated. The most comparable examples of weak WC hosts were South Africa in 2010 and the US in 1994. Russia is better than both teams and will finish with at least 4 points (they will beat Saudi Arabia).

Saudi Arabia is the weakest team in the group and will only be rounding out the numbers.

Uruguay is highly likely to advance. They have the most talent including 2 of the best strikers on the planet and a ton of experience under their belts over the past 7 years.

-----------------El Hadary---------------
--Gaber--Gabr--Hegazy--Hafez--
-------------Elneny---Gomaa-----------
------Salah-----Warda----Sobhi-----
--------------------Koka-------------------


This would be something close to my tournament 11. At least for the first match. Cuper will never play a team like that though unfortunately. If Mostafa Fathi is fit, it's going to be difficult to decide who starts on the LW between him/Sobhi/Trezeguet.

Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed Abdel-Shafy should not even be in the squad. Both are major liabilities, and not good enough anymore. Ramy Rabia is also a liability and should never start over Aly Gabr - like he has been recently. Gabr + Hegazy is a solid partnership that we should continue to develop.

Abdullah Said will definitely start in place of Warda. I wouldn't play him though due to Warda's form this season . He's often guilty of turning over possession - my main gripe with him - but he has his qualities.

We have a chance to advance as long as we go into the Saudi game with at least 2 points. I expect Uruguay and Russia to both beat Saudi. We don't want to go into the game vs Saudi with just 1 point with both Uruguay and Russia sitting on 4 points and just needing a draw for both to advance.

I expect Cuper to have us playing very tight and boring defensive football which I don't mind to be honest. We need to remember that very weak teams such as New Zealand in 2010 were able to remain competitive simply by playing very defensive. We obviously have more talent so we just need to be patient and pick our spots. I much rather use Cuper's style than embarrass ourselves like we did under Shehata by playing a reckless attacking style and conceding 2-4 goals in matches like we did several times during his last 2 years as our manager.

[YUJAM]

A lot of this stuff will come down to psychology. Some teams have shown great dignity and fight when facing Oyinbo teams. Others have not. Teams like Egypt and Tunisia tend to not do well. Teams like Senegal and Nigeria have performed well in their games. The jury is still out in Morocco

[Scipio Africanus]

A lot of this stuff will come down to psychology. Some teams have shown great dignity and fight when facing Oyinbo teams. Others have not. Teams like Egypt and Tunisia tend to not do well. Teams like Senegal and Nigeria have performed well in their games. The jury is still out in Morocco

I trust the Moroccans. Remember they thrashed Portugal 3-1 in 1986 and Scotland 3-0 in 1998. Granted, that was eons ago, but Morocco does not seem like the team to give undue respect to any European team. Brazil is another matter, but all African teams respect Brazil much more than is warranted.

[truetalk]

A lot of this stuff will come down to psychology. Some teams have shown great dignity and fight when facing Oyinbo teams. Others have not. Teams like Egypt and Tunisia tend to not do well. Teams like Senegal and Nigeria have performed well in their games. The jury is still out in Morocco

I trust the Moroccans. Remember they thrashed Portugal 3-1 in 1986 and Scotland 3-0 in 1998. Granted, that was eons ago, but Morocco does not seem like the team to give undue respect to any European team. Brazil is another matter, but all African teams respect Brazil much more than is warranted.

Morocco will qualify. Portugal is a poor team.

[Ayo Akinfe]

Senegal, Egypt and Nigeria are sure bankers to qualify
Morocco have an outside chance as Portugal are erratic
I have no confidence in Tunisia advancing

We need at least two teams in the quarter finals
Nigeria must get to the semi finals at least