Since 1934 – the first time an African nation participated in the World Cup – the Black Continent has not managed to rise up against the world. The record is mediocre with Cameroon and Senegal currently sharing the best record thanks to their quarter-final finish back in 1990 and 2002 respectively.
76 years after Africa first graced the world stage, the planet’s most prestigious sporting event will take place in Africa for the first ever time in the history of football. African nations now have a great advantage best called the home advantage. But will they make the most of it?
The world will watch as Africa will fight to gain its pride against the titans from Europe and South America and the outsiders from Asia. After multiple attempts, what have African nations learned from their failures? What kind of football will they offer to the world? Is the year 2010 going to be a turning point in the history of soccer?
Football’s top nations Argentina, Brazil, Spain, England, Germany, Holland, and World Cup titleholders Italy are all expected to fight until their last breathe to win the World Cup trophy in Africa. Are African nations prepared to face them all and maintain the gold and green cup in Africa?
In general, fans viewed the 2006 World Cup in Germany as a failure with Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Togo all crashing out in the first round. The team that lifted the pride of the continent was Ghana, who all the same exited in the Round of 16 after controversially losing 3-0 to Brazil in what many branded as a fixed match. Well, the 2006 World Cup certainly served as a platform for African nations to prepare ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire: these are the six teams that have the mission to carry the power of the African continent above any other continent on the planet. They are all determined to crash the demons that have prevented them from dominating in the previous editions of the World Cup tournament.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter offered Africa the chance to prove itself by restricting the bids for the 2010 World Cup to African nations only. Will African contenders squander this lifetime opportunity and once again become a mockery to the world?
