Africa hopeful for improved performance in 2014 Brazil

ABUJA - Agence France-Presse

REUTERS Photo

African pride is at stake at next year’s World Cup in Brazil with four of the continent’s five qualifiers out to make amends for flopping at South Africa 2010.

Ghana were the continent’s standard bearers four years ago, the Black Stars reaching the quarter-finals to equal Africa’s best ever World Cup performance by Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
But Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, and the Ivory Coast all failed to reach the last 16 and they now have a second chance to improve on their forgettable campaigns in South Africa, where the hosts also failed to escape the group stage.

While they all have something to prove, Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah believes the Black Stars are ready to take Brazil by storm.

“What we have to do is to prepare well and make a mark at the World Cup. I am confident we can cause a sensation,” he said.

African champion Nigeria has never lacked fire power, but it has continued to struggle playing as a team.

Cameroon posted their poorest World Cup run in South Africa, where they lost all three games to finish bottom of a group that had the Netherlands, Japan and Denmark.

This is most certainly not the best Cameroonian side ever, but they are mentally strong and determined to defy their critics.

Ivory Coast will pray for luck at the draw after being done no favours at their previous two World Cups.
The country’s ‘Golden Generation’ led by skipper Didier Drogba has another shot at international glory after it again fell short of winning the Nations Cup in February.

Algeria, World Cup finalists in 1982, 1986 and 2010, will again be the only team from north Africa at Brazil 2014.