Ghana
Having reached the last eight of the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they bowed out courtesy of a Luis Suarez’s “Hand of God”, Ghana easily sailed through to Brazil 2014 courtesy of an emphatic 7-2 aggregate win over Egypt.
The Black Stars team is Africa’s biggest hope as the team boasts of amazing talent that is further boosted by the return of Kevin Prince Boateng who recently came back into the team after a premature international retirement. Never mind veteran stars Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan who just keep performing at the highest level Ghana is primed for the greatest surprise of 2014 with its cadre of young stars.
Ghana has become a regular in the World Cup in recent years advancing out of the group stages in 2006 and 2010, their first two trips to the finals.
I can’t remember the last time I saw such a clinical display of football from any African side like the Black Stars. They simply brushed aside a great side like Egypt. Ghana I repeat are Africa’s biggest hope.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast were the next nation to join Nigeria on the plane to Rio Di Janeiro after they labored to a 1-1 draw with Senegal that saw them edge out Papiss Demba Cisse’s side on a 4-2 goal aggregate.
The Elephants have undoubtedly the best football talent on the entire African continent in their ranks but they always fall short in major competitions and have therefore been labeled as the biggest underachievers on the continent.
Local fans, sports journalists and pundits are all calling for the removal of current coach Sabri Lamouchi whom they assume lacks the ‘depth of knowledge and proven experience’ required for a World Cup adventure.
“We want to do something special at the World Cup. The last two tournaments were difficult but we learnt a lot from them. In Brazil we hope to have a greater chance of at least making it out of the first round,” said Drogba soon after gaining qualification.
Some of their talent includes; Gervinho, Yaya
Black Stars of Ghana