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Germany 2006: A critical weekend in Africa

Chinedu Maduabum

Onitsha, Nigeria

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Introduction

Football loving fans all over the world and Africa in particular will have their hands full this weekend as their various countries file out for what may turn out to be the most decisive weekend in the qualifying series to the world cup in Germany 2006. The world cup is the highest football event in the world and for a professional footballer to participate in it is like attaining the climax of his football career. To be selected by your country to the world cup as one player puts it is like a fulfilment to his career as a footballer even if it means sitting on the bench throughout the tournament. Indeed every player will agree that to participate in the world cup is like obtaining the highest accolade in the profession.

The pride and panache attached to the world cup is so great that even non-football fanatics are compelled to abandon one or two things just to catch a glimpse of the stars on parade. Hence the qualifying series towards the tournament itself is considered a semi-final and a do or die affair as the case seem to have boiled down in the African qualifying zone made up of five groups with only the top teams from the five groups qualifying for the mundial in Germany next year. To give a group-by-group analysis will tantamount to overloading this article. Thus, this article shall critically x-ray the chances of the last five participants in Korea/Japan 2002 with more emphasis on Nigeria and Cameroon.

The journey so far

The African zone after the preliminary first rounds was narrowed to five groups of six teams each leaving behind 30 nations out of the 52 confederation of African football (CAF) registered nations that started the race. However, of the 30 nations remaining, the race seems to have even boiled down to about 11 nations that are still is serious contention for the five slots allotted to Africa. They include the same 5 participants of the last tournament jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan; Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia: also in strong contention to make it to Germany either for the first time or encore include Ghana, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco and Angola not leaving out Zambia. Thus, as we approach this weekend, we expect fireworks across Africa with special attention to certain nations where it will be a do or die affair.

The chances of the last participants

It has become synonymous these days to see people run naked before, during and after football matches. There are even serious cases of fans committing suicide either in celebration or disappointment of their team’s performance. Hence it will come as a surprise if after this weekend there are no cases of one or two extra-ordinary behaviour around the continent that may invite the wrath of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) as well as that of CAF.

Tunisia & Morocco

In Rabat the capital and slaughter ground of the Atlas Lions (as they are popularly called) of Morocco, will be have to be at their best against visiting *** if they still want to remain in contention. Any thing short of a win may spell doom for them if their fellow North African rival Tunisia secures a win in Kenya. Tunisia may fine it easy since they will have to play in more or less an empty stadium. FIFA after the last match played at the Nairobi stadium banned fans from entering the stadium after the stampede of the last match between Kenya and Morocco that left a little fan dead. However, Tunisia knows it will not be easy as they only managed a slim goal margin in the first leg played recently in Tunis the capital of Tunisia.

South Africa & Ghana

With the new FIFA “neck to neck” rule, which in tells that the team with the better home and away record qualifies for the mundial in a situation where two teams finished with the same points will definitely play a deciding role in some groups. One of such groups is that of Bafana Bafana (the boys) of South Africa. South Africa threw their world cup chances into a very tight corner when they were surprisingly beaten 2 – 0 by Ghana in Johannesburg in July. With both teams tied at the top with 15 points each, the Black Stars of Ghana knows that there can be no better chance of reaching their first ever participation at the world cup – thanks to the head to head rule. All Ghana needs is to win their last two matches and they will be hoisting their flag in Germany even before the commencement of the tournament. However, and in the world of football you can only celebrate at the end of the last whistle. Thus, cautious is needed by the two teams.

Senegal, Zambia & Togo

If cautious is needed by South Africa and Ghana, the same cannot be said to Senegal. Senegal that participated in the world cup for the first time in 2002 and also equalling Cameroon’s record as the only two teams that have reached the quarterfinals stage seem already out of the race. Senegal just as South Africa was the architect of their present position where they currently lie third behind group leaders Togo and second places Zambia. Senegal were held 2 – 2 by Togo in Dakar thereby leaving them with the option of winning their last two matches and also hoping that Togo slipped. An uphill task if you may ask me. Senegal meets Zambia away this weekend and welcomes Mali in October while Togo will welcome Liberia before travelling to Congo in October. When you look at the last two matches, your conclusion will be as good as mine. However, in football on ne sais jamais.

CAMEROON & COTE D'IVOIRE

Easily, the battle in Abidjan between the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire will be the most decisive this weekend. In deed it will be a battle between the lion and the elephant and a straight one between two of Africa’s finest football stars at the moment: Samuel Eto’o Fils of Barcelona of Spain and reigning African footballer of the year and Chelsea of England hit man Didier Drogba who was runner up to Eto’o in the same award. It will be a match where the winner takes all.

Cameroon will need an outright win if they must be in Germany next year. A draw will drag the suspense to the last day of play in October with Cote d'Ivoire still having the upper hand. However, if Cameroon looses in Abidjan it will be the end of their world cup aspirations. All Cote d'Ivoire needs is a win no matter the margin and they will be singing the first song from Africa to the world cup in Germany.

It is therefore no surprise that Eto’o pledged the sum of $2, 000 each to his fellow players and officials if they win in Abidjan. The recall of veteran defender Raymond Kalla after three years is also a sign of how serious the nation sees this weekends clash. Cote d'Ivoire on their part is not relenting. Only recently their sports minister called on all Ivorian to rally behind the team. As the two teams file out on Sunday at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, only ninety minutes will tell. Even home advantage, which the Ivorian will enjoy, may not count more especially against a country that has intimidating away records in these competitions. Donc, Cameroun/Cote D’Ivoire c’est sera la gaie.

NIGERIA & ANGOLA

Cameroon may have intimidating away records but the same cannot be said with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. In a group considered the easiest that was even made easier with the early exit of Nigeria’s anticipated major rival Algeria, many had given the group ticket to Nigeria. It is indeed a surprise that Nigeria is still struggling to make it to Germany. It is true that the gap between the minors and big football nations is reducing but in Africa the names of Cameroon and Nigeria remains and will remain a household. Hence it is expected that when put in a group like that which the Eagles find themselves, that they should have an easy passage. Unfortunately, Nigerians will not only be watching their darling Eagles as they go for a broke in Algiers but will also be fasting and praying that Angola slip off in Luanda. After all the Angolans don’t know how to pray and fast or don’t you think so?

Just as South Africa and Senegal as earlier analysed, Nigeria is also the cause of their present misfortune. A team that wants to go to the world cup could only manage two points in their last two matches against war-tone Rwanda away and at home against fellow group contender and a football minor in Africa – Angola. Presently the neck to neck rule is hunting the Eagles as they could only managed one point of the maximum six points between the two group leaders in both legs. It will be recalled that Nigeria lost 1 – 0 in the first leg in Luanda and drew 1 – 1 in the return leg in a sunny afternoon in Kaduna. Of course the sun should have its own share of the blame.

The truth in this group is that Nigeria’s chances no longer lie in their hands unlike Cameroon. If they win all their matches and Angola wins theirs then the Palanca Negras will be in Germany for the first time. However, Nigeria can only restore their hope if they beat Algeria in Algiers this weekend. And even if Angola beats Gabon this weekend as I strongly anticipate, it will boil down to the last day. Maybe mother luck and the other way – I mean the Nigerian way you know, may take the Eagles to Germany. However, and sentiments apart, Nigeria may just miss it out.

CONCLUSION

Countries in the African continent will this weekend put aside their internal differences and rally behind their various national teams. From Cote d'Ivoire where the opposition faction is holding sway, to Cameroon where the agitation for a Southern Republic is high and to the unsettled dust over fuel hike in Nigeria, peace and silence will reign at least for ninety minutes.

When Cameroon line up against Cote d'Ivoire this Sunday both the Anglophones and francophone will hold their hands in a circle while the opposition faction surrender their weapons and join hands with the government in prayers. In Nigeria, the fuel hike, “swearing” scandal, Anambra crisis etc will all be temporary forgotten when the Super Eagles file out against the Desert Warriors of Algeria in Algiers. The extent at which the above mentioned issues will be temporary laid to rest will be determined by the outcome in Algiers and may even last longer than expected if Angola slips in Luanda. However, anything short of a victory and a victory for Angola on the other side, then Nigerians should be prepared for a nationwide strike in protest of the defeat – sorry fuel hike.

As we all keep our fingers crossed, my own prayer is that the better sides win.

See you on the other side.