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AFRICAN PRIDE: WORLD CUP REVIEW - OLA ADEOTOYE (08/07/2014)
Nigeria
Results:
0-0 vs. Iran (16/6/14)
1-0 vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (21/6/14)
2-3 vs. Argentina (25/6/14)
0-2 vs. France
The Super Eagles started their tournament with what seemed like a routine opening game against football minnows Iran. Going into the game myself and every other Nigeria supporter were expecting goals from the players in Green, but it ended in a rather disappointing goalless stalemate. It was at this point that I thought we were going to witness another poor Nigeria World Cup campaign. But in the game to decide who took a step towards qualification and who made plans for an early departure, Nigeria edged Bosnia with a 1-0 victory and pushed a Messi inspired Argentina side to the limits, just being edged 2-3 in the end. Equally as important was the way Keshi's side played, in both games Nigeria's pace and power on the counter attack was a worry to teams, with Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa doing the most damage. The one blot on the Nigerian copybook would be the defending at times, in particularly at set pieces. Unfortunately it was such a weakness that France capitalised on in the last 16, as well as a goalkeeping error from the usually solid Vincent Enyeama. Though they worried the French at times they bowed out with a 0-2 loss. However they left having instilled pride into the fans with their performances and their reaching of the last 16 (a feat not managed since France'98).
Ghana
Results:
1-2 vs. USA (16/6/14)
2-2 vs. Germany (21/6/14)
1-2 vs. Portugal (25/6/14)
The black stars began their campaign against Jurgen Klinsmann's highly organised and energetic USA side. As with any international/European tournament it's important to get off to a good start. But for Ghana it was the exact opposite when just one minute into the game USA's captain fantastic Clint Dempsey netted. There was plenty of huffing and puffing by the Ghanaians but it wasn't until as deep into the match as the 82nd minute that Andre Ayew levelled proceedings. However their lead lasted only four minutes after centre back John Brooks towered above his marker to head home the winner.
Their next match against the much fancied Germans was a lot closer and in fact if you watched them game as I did you'd say Ghana should have won it towards the end. However instead of squaring to an unmarked Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew instead chose to try and beat one of the world's best in Manuel Neuer from distance. It was a decision he would come to rue as Miroslav Klose would score what would prove to be the equaliser on the 71st minute. If there was any chance of making it to the 2nd round a win against Portugal in their next game was a must. However events off the field concerning senior players Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, led to both being suspended indefinitely from representing Ghana again. Not the best preparation for such an important game and so it proved as the players didn't appear 100% focused on the match. As a result they left the World Cup with one point from their three matches and in doing failed to build on their 2010 performance. Though this year it was always going to be a tough ask to qualify from such a difficult group.
Results:
1-2 vs. Belgium (17/6/14)
4-2 vs. Korea Republic (22/6/14)
1-1 vs. Russia (26/6/14)
1-2 vs. Germany (30/6/14)
Algeria
The Fennec Foxes went into the tournament boasting the best defence in Africa and having secured fifteen out of a possible eighteen points in their qualifying group. Yet they weren't much fancied by the masses to take the place of either Belgium or Russia in the last 16. But they surprised everyone with their solid defending, precise attacking, and high work rate. Though they lost their first match 2-1 to Marc Wilmot's Belgium side, The North African side took apart South Korea and grabbed the one point they needed against Capello's Russia. As a result for the 1st time in their history they managed to reach the last sixteen. At the same time they proved hard to beat for each opponent that came up against them. Joachim Low's Germany found out exactly that when Algeria took them to extra time, and even though they eventually lost 2-1, Halilhodzic's had done their country and themselves proud, and were welcomed back to their home country as winners.
Results:
1-2 vs. USA (16/6/14)
2-2 vs. Germany (21/6/14)
1-2 vs. Portugal (25/6/14)
The black stars began their campaign against Jurgen Klinsmann's highly organised and energetic USA side. As with any international/European tournament it's important to get off to a good start. But for Ghana it was the exact opposite when just one minute into the game USA's captain fantastic Clint Dempsey netted. There was plenty of huffing and puffing by the Ghanaians but it wasn't until as deep into the match as the 82nd minute that Andre Ayew levelled proceedings. However their lead lasted only four minutes after centre back John Brooks towered above his marker to head home the winner.
Their next match against the much fancied Germans was a lot closer and in fact if you watched them game as I did you'd say Ghana should have won it towards the end. However instead of squaring to an unmarked Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew instead chose to try and beat one of the world's best in Manuel Neuer from distance. It was a decision he would come to rue as Miroslav Klose would score what would prove to be the equaliser on the 71st minute. If there was any chance of making it to the 2nd round a win against Portugal in their next game was a must. However events off the field concerning senior players Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, led to both being suspended indefinitely from representing Ghana again. Not the best preparation for such an important game and so it proved as the players didn't appear 100% focused on the match. As a result they left the World Cup with one point from their three matches and in doing failed to build on their 2010 performance. Though this year it was always going to be a tough ask to qualify from such a difficult group.
Results:
1-2 vs. Belgium (17/6/14)
4-2 vs. Korea Republic (22/6/14)
1-1 vs. Russia (26/6/14)
1-2 vs. Germany (30/6/14)
Algeria
The Fennec Foxes went into the tournament boasting the best defence in Africa and having secured fifteen out of a possible eighteen points in their qualifying group. Yet they weren't much fancied by the masses to take the place of either Belgium or Russia in the last 16. But they surprised everyone with their solid defending, precise attacking, and high work rate. Though they lost their first match 2-1 to Marc Wilmot's Belgium side, The North African side took apart South Korea and grabbed the one point they needed against Capello's Russia. As a result for the 1st time in their history they managed to reach the last sixteen. At the same time they proved hard to beat for each opponent that came up against them. Joachim Low's Germany found out exactly that when Algeria took them to extra time, and even though they eventually lost 2-1, Halilhodzic's had done their country and themselves proud, and were welcomed back to their home country as winners.
Cameroon
Results:
0-1 vs. Mexico (13/6/14)
0-4 vs. Croatia (18/6/14)
1-4 vs. Brazil (23/6/14)
What can be said of Cameroon's world cup journey, it was terrible. They played three matches scoring two goals and conceding nine, therefore finishing rock bottom of their group. Disorganised defending and not much bite up front gave them very little chance of qualifying out of a group that featured Mexico, Brazil and Croatia. Legend and captain Samuel Eto'o couldn't inspire his side in what is definitely his last World Cup and the twilight of his career. They entered the tournament quietly and made a swift exit bowing out with a whimper.
Results:
0-1 vs. Mexico (13/6/14)
0-4 vs. Croatia (18/6/14)
1-4 vs. Brazil (23/6/14)
What can be said of Cameroon's world cup journey, it was terrible. They played three matches scoring two goals and conceding nine, therefore finishing rock bottom of their group. Disorganised defending and not much bite up front gave them very little chance of qualifying out of a group that featured Mexico, Brazil and Croatia. Legend and captain Samuel Eto'o couldn't inspire his side in what is definitely his last World Cup and the twilight of his career. They entered the tournament quietly and made a swift exit bowing out with a whimper.
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