AfricaNews/December 4, 2017: FIVE African teams were part of 32 others that were entered into a draw for the group stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The five African teams are Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia.
It turns out that from the final draw, Morocco and Nigeria will not have it easy in their respective groups as they face top footballing sides.
Nigeria will be facing former World Champions, Argentina. The Super Eagles recently beat them by 4 – 2 in a friendly. Aside Argentina, they will face Croatia and Iceland in Group D.
Over in Group B, Morocco for their part will face current European champions Portugal and former World Champions Spain as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Tunisia will have work to do as they come up against Belgium, England and Panama in Group G.
Egypt in Group A will put aside all diplomatic engagements when they come up against Saudi Arabia in the group stages. They will also have to deal with the home fans when they face hosts Russia. The other team in the group being Uruguay.
In Group H, Senegal seems to have a quiet group as well. They will face Poland, Colombia and Japan as Sadio Mane and his charges look to do better than the Teranga Lions’ last outing.
GROUP A
Russia – Saudi Arabia – Egypt – Uruguay
GROUP B
Portugal – Spain – Morocco – Iran
GROUP C
France – Australia Peru – Denmark
GROUP D
Argentina – Iceland – Croatia – Nigeria
GROUP E
Brazil – Switzerland – Costa Rica – Serbia
GROUP F
Germany (reigning champions) – Mexico – Sweden – Korea Republic
GROUP G
Belgium – Panama – Tunisia – England
GROUP H
Poland – Senegal – Colombia – JapanAFRICA’S REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR WC ‘RECORD’
1. EGYPT – The Pharaohs are making their first world finals appearance since Italy 1990
2. MOROCCO – The Atlas Lions topped African zone Group C in qualification
3. NIGERIA – The Super Eagles have only missed one tournament since their debut at USA 1994
4. SENEGAL – In their debut at Korea/Japan 2002, the Lions of Teranga reached the quarter-finals
5. TUNISIA – At Argentina 1978, the Carthage Eagles became the first African team to win a World Cup match
2014 VS. 2018: IS AFRICAN EXPERIENCING A POWER SHIFT?
In 2014 Africa sent five teams – Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Algeria. One north Africa and four from sub Saharan Africa.
Four years on, only Nigeria is returning to the showpiece. There are joined by another West Africa side, Senegal.
The three other teams are all from North Africa – Egypt (record African Cup of Nations holders), Morocco and Tunisia. Football watchers are already talking of a power shift.
PUTIN MEETS PELE
