Interestingly all the nations that qualified for the last World Cup in South Africa in 2010 will make a repeat appearance in Brazil this year which brings a glimmer of hope that they will use their experiences from four years back to improve on their showing.
The only pride that Africa has ever salvaged at a FIFA World Cup Finals was in 2010 when the continent hosted it for the very first time. It was Africa’s first World Cup and it will live in the memory as much for the spirit and smiles for all Africans.
But on the field of play, the continent has dismally failed to create any smiles and memories at the quadrennial event with the Black Stars of Ghana coming close in 2010.
There was disappointment when then Carlos Alberto Perreira’s hosts bowed out despite a victory over France, edged on goal difference by Mexico. Yet Bafana Bafana could not hold their heads high even though they delivered one of the goals of the tournament … its very first – by Siphiwe Tshabalala’s searing left foot strike against Mexico.
Ivory Coast were crushed out with four points and there were very few consolation performances by Africa’s other representatives in Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria who all finished at the bottom of their groups.