13 national teams from Africa have already tried it, but it was always the end of the quarterfinals at the latest. Everything should be different at the World Cup in Qatar. Is this realistic?
Unfortunately, it is not known whether Manuel Neuer is still in the nightmares of Algerian football fans. However, the fact that the German national goalkeeper is partly responsible for the African World Cup curse cannot be denied. In the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Neuer showed an almost unearthly performance and laid the foundation for a later 2-1 victory after extra time with several brilliant saves. Algeria despaired and dropped out.
Neuer extends Africa’s dry spell
For the North Africans, Neuer’s cream day was synonymous with the end of all hopes. Since Nigeria had already failed at France a few hours earlier, Neuer’s cream day was also synonymous with the end of all African hopes. From this point on, the World Cup once again took place without African participants.
Since all Africans were eliminated in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup in Russia, Neuer’s Sahnetag extended the already long African dry spell by another eight years. The last quarter-final participation by an African team was Ghana in 2010, after Cameroon (1990) and Senegal (2002) had done so. There has never been an African selection in the semi-finals. That is exactly what should change now. But what are the chances?
Morocco beats Belgium and sets an exclamation mark
One thing is clear: since Sunday and the Moroccan 2-0 coup against Belgium, at least the disgrace of the last World Cup should not be repeated. Morocco prevailed well-deservedly against the permanent secret favorites Belgium and, as leaders in Group F, has a very good chance of making it into the next round. In the final game against Canada, a draw is enough for the North Africans to reach the round of 16.
“It’s a big competition and we played against one of the best teams in the world. You can do anything with these fans and this spirit,” Morocco national coach Walid Regragui was self-confident after the game. The Moroccans have the potential to surprise and, thanks to the likes of Paris St-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi or Chelsea FC’s Hakim Ziyech, they also have plenty of individual quality. That means Morocco could actually end the curse.
Senegal talks about the World Cup title
Senegal also has good chances of making the knockout stage. The West Africans have to cope with the loss of superstar Sadio Mané. After the unfortunate 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands at the start and the 3-1 win over hosts Qatar on Matchday 2, coach Aliou Cissé’s side are in charge. A win against Ecuador would have booked the round of 16 ticket. That’s not unrealistic.
“Japan beat Germany in this tournament, Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Anything is possible,” coach Cissé summarized the starting position. “I am convinced that a team from Africa can become world champions.”
Ghana has a chance of reaching the round of 16
Whether that really happens remains to be seen. With Ghana, which meets South Korea on Monday (November 28th, 2022), at least a third team has a chance of reaching the round of 16. The Ghanaians are yet to score points after a 3-2 defeat by Portugal, which started with a dubious penalty converted by Cristiano Ronaldo. But the performance should be encouraging, the upcoming opponents South Korea and Uruguay also seem beatable.
Bad cards for Tunisia and Cameroon
That left Tunisia and Cameroon, two teams with maximum outsider chances. The Tunisians should beat France on the final day and hope for a draw between Australia and Denmark. Cameroon, who started the tournament with a 1-0 defeat by Switzerland, definitely need a win against Serbia on Monday to remain in contention. The problem: After that, the team led by Bayern striker Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting also meets Brazil. It’s complicated.
The semi-final is a dream, but possible
Either way, the African teams have evolved, as can already be seen. The great criticism that they are mentally and tactically inferior to the European and South American teams despite well-known players seems to be outdated. Financially, the Africans are still in a different league, and here and there long-term concepts are missing. The fact that for the first time all five participating nations have a coach from their own country is a good sign.
It will probably not be enough for the big hit at the World Cup in Qatar either, but an African team in the quarter-finals or even semi-finals is definitely in it.
However, there is still bad news for Morocco: There could be a duel with Germany in the round of 16. Manuel Neuer is in goal.