The debut of a record ten African teams at the first 48-nation World Cup finals has sparked renewed hope following Morocco’s remarkable journey to the semi-finals in Qatar. The key question on everyone’s mind is whether any of these teams can transcend previous hurdles and achieve greater success.
The dream of an African nation claiming the World Cup seemed plausible when Cameroon stunned the football world by defeating the defending champions, Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, in the opening match of the 1990 tournament. This historic victory set the stage for a thrilling run that culminated in a narrow 3-2 loss to England in the quarter-finals. However, in the eight World Cups that followed, African teams have often fallen short of expectations.
Pelé, the legendary footballer, once forecasted: “An African nation will win the World Cup before the year 2000.” Yet, as we approach 2023, the reality remains unchanged, largely due to internal issues within the continent’s football governance, as noted by Joseph-Antoine Bell, a prominent goalkeeper for Cameroon in the 1982, 1990, and 1994 World Cup squads.
“Our football isn’t really progressing… we don’t challenge ourselves to be the best,” Bell asserts, highlighting the need for improvement. “Even before the 1960s, Africa was producing talented players in Europe, indicating we have the talent. But what have we achieved at the World Cup? Now that the tournament has expanded to 48 teams, are we naïve enough to believe our chances have increased?”
“When the World Cup was hosted in 2010, some suggested that an African team would triumph simply because it was on home soil. Nonsense. As for winning the World Cup, we’re not gaining more opportunities.”
This summer, Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia will represent Africa, while Cameroon and Nigeria are conspicuously absent from the lineup. “Many consider Cameroon to be the frontrunner in African football, yet Morocco has proven to be the true leader, being the first to advance to the World Cup’s knockout stage in 1986 and the first to reach the semi-finals in Qatar,” Bell explains.
“I believe they stand the best chance for Africa this World Cup, alongside Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and potentially Egypt, which has shown consistency in qualifying. If you qualify repeatedly and improve each time, you can aspire to advance further.”
However, Bell emphasizes that the goal must shift from merely advancing past the initial round to winning the tournament itself. “With the expansion to 48 teams, the first round is no longer the same as when there were just 32 teams. The objective should be to win, and the path to the trophy has changed.”
Off the pitch, the ongoing chaos surrounding various African nations heading to the tournament underscores the incompetence of football federations tasked with showcasing the continent’s best. Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, initially refused to board the flight to the World Cup due to the Senegal Football Federation’s failure to pay him for several months and his lack of a contract following his successful tenure at the Africa Cup of Nations. The situation was only resolved through last-minute intervention from the Senegalese government.
“Achieving the status of the world’s best team requires talented players, a skilled coach, and a professional staff, but it also necessitates good governance to support those efforts,” Bell stresses. “The entire framework must be sound. When a team hails from a country that neglects to pay the coach’s salary, it sends a message of disrespect to the global football community, where dedication and hard work are essential for success. We need to adopt a more serious approach.”
“Winning the World Cup demands more than just talented footballers: it requires planning, strategic thinking, and effective management before players step onto the pitch.”
Amid the unpredictability surrounding Africa’s teams, thousands of fans from the qualifying nations face barriers in obtaining travel visas, creating a sense of exclusion from what should be a unifying event. “The absence of vibrant and enthusiastic African fans, due to travel challenges, high costs, and visa issues for entry into the United States, is becoming a significant concern,” remarks Segun Odegbami, former captain of Nigeria and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner.
“I have been waiting for 14 months just to secure an interview date at the US embassy in Abuja. I’m not a first-time visitor. I’ve had to cancel my travel plans.”
Odegbami’s experience is particularly striking, considering he was present in the US for the 1994 World Cup as the Super Eagles’ administrative manager. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful about the potential outcomes for Africa over the next five weeks. “We have moved beyond just participating; we are now contenders and competitors aiming for a top-four finish. We are knocking at the door.”
Opening that door to the finals—and ultimately claiming the trophy—poses a significant challenge, especially in tightly contested matches. However, nothing would bring greater joy to the continent’s 1.5 billion people than to witness their team compete at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
