ACTUALITE |
15.06.2006
World Cup: Africa Still on Track
Despite the mediocre results recorded by Africa’s five representatives during their first outings, hopes of moving to the second round remain intact.
The second Group H encounter between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia last evening at the Munich World Cup Stadium marked the end of the first set of matches at the World Cup in Germany. Tunisia, Africa’s last representative to enter the tournament and the only African squad with previous World Cup experience, played a 2 — 2 tie against Saudi Arabia. The result puts the two teams rated as the underdogs of Group H, that has two powerful European sides (Spain and Ukraine), in a difficult position as they strive to advance past the group stage for the first time after four World Cup appearances.
However, with just 16 of the 64 matches played, nothing is completely lost for any team. Despite the defeat of four of Africa’s five representatives during their first group matches, hopes of moving to the second round remain intact. In effect, African debutants have not been lucky. Ghana and Angola, for example, played excellent football but failed to materialise the scoring opportunities. Little wonder why some of the defeats were celebrated. Angolans, for example, were contented with their 0-1 defeat by their former colonial masters, Portugal. To them it was a good start on the global football stage. Things might therefore be different when the Paalancas Negras face Mexcico in Hanover tomorrow.
Ghana blames its 2 — 0 bashing by Italy on naivety. Star player of the Black stars, Stephen Appiah plans to make records straight when they take on Czech Republic on Saturday in Cologne. Togo had an early lead over Korea Republic in their Group G opener in Frankfurt last Tuesday but failed to manage the vantage position. The Sparrow Hawks, that played their first match amidst instability in their technical crew (resignation and return of coach) plan to fly high when they face Switzerland. The second matches of African teams therefore promise to produce better results. Didier Drogba, Côte d’Ivoire’s supper star, says they cannot give up despite the 2-1 defeat by Argentina in their first match. "We are here to do a job, we have good players and we can do a job," he said. "It’s not going to be easy for us, we always knew that, but we’ll give it a go, that much I know," he reassured Ivorians.
The first matches have also produced a few surprises and lots of disillusion. France had the greatest blow. Of the eight top-seeded teams at the World Cup, only France was unable to win their opening match. "Les Bleus" were held to a virgin draw by Switzerland in Stuttgart. Germany, England, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Brazil and Spain justified their high ranking ahead of the tournament. Ukraine, one of the favourites of group H, was humiliated yesterday after bagging home four goals from Spain; the highest scores so far in the tournament. The USA, also had a rocky start. The Yanks were humbled by Czech Republic 0 -3 in their opener.
The second group matches began last night when Germany took on Poland in Dortmund. Côte d’Ivoire would make their second outing in Frankfurt tomorrow when they face the Netherlands. The outcome of the second matches will determine the future for African teams in the World Cup.
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