Road To Brazil 2014- Africa At The FIFA World Cup

The FIFA soccer  World Cup groups are out. Africa’s big 5 are spread out in 8 tough groups of 4. Cameroon appears in Group A with host nation Brazil, Croatia and Mexico. That sounds like a group of death to me, but I’m tipping Brazil and Mexico to make it to the knock out stage. A toast for me will be to see Samuel Eto’o make another appearance and to see this rugged team try to survive a first round ‘annihilation’.
There are no African countries in Group B. Spain, the Netherlands, Chile and Australia will battle it out in that group. I predict a Spain-Netherlands sail-through even though I would not be surprised to see Chile pull a shocker.
Group C has top ranked African country the Ivory Coast contesting the qualification spots with Colombia, Greece and Japan- a rather tricky group, which to me is open to anyone. My bet though will go for the Ivory Coast and Greece. My toast for that group is certainly Didier Drogba and BBC 2013 African Footballer of the year Yahya Toure. The Ivory Coast has perhaps the most star-studded African side in the Tourney, but they have also been known to let down their guard and lose to much less glamorous sides. That however could change from the drawing board.
 Group D is another Africa-free group consisting Uruguay, Costa Rica, England and Italy; another tough prospect where I am wagering on Italy and Uruguay to make the round.
Group E also has no African countries. Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras make that group. This to me is the easy group! France is most likely to make it, but the other team to join them out of the group stages is what is difficult to predict. I would however go for Ecuador.
Group F is where I know most of you will be monitoring closely. Well I am keenly watching this group too. African giants Nigeria is bundled together with world-beaters Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Clearly, Nigeria and Argentina are the favorites in this group. Nigeria is no stranger to the World Cup and this year looks good for the tough side. Individual players like Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike have been at their performance best in the years leading to the tourney. Again, Coach Keshi has been the toast of many a soccer fan especially ones like myself who favor homegrown coaches. My toast is to see an ‘all-naija’ side; replete with an eba eating coach set out to rule the world and I got my eyes on that Emenike kid!
Group G; another group attracting a lot of African attention!  Africa’s favorites Ghana is in this group. And talking of homegrown coaches, Ghana also parades a full-blooded Ghanaian coach with a side he (Kwasi Appiah) believes is better than the one that made it to the quarters in the last meet. In the group is Germany, Portugal and the USA. Even though this is another tricky group my bet is definitely on the Black Stars of Ghana and Germany topping the set. My toast is to see the Boateng brothers clash again; history repeated as Kevin Prince features for Ghana against a German side that features his brother Jerome. I am also keen to see the team whoop the Americans for a second time at that level. I’ll be looking out for Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan.
The last group H features Algeria amongst Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic. The Algerian team seems to have lost a lot of shine in recent years, and I’m personally not expecting too much from them in this tournament. They have yet been known to present stiff opposition and stand a good chance with some tactical arrangement to emerge alongside Belgium in this group.
So, keep watching this space. From now till kick off and beyond Sahara TV/Sahara Reporters will bring you news, updates, opinions and predictions on the Road to Brazil. Remember though, football has no logic! All that matters are the goals…goals…goals!!!