I just saw the four african teams that qualified for the World Cup 06.
First of all congratulations!!!

Ok, here's my question, do you guys think that these four teams, meaning Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Ghana will be successful in the World Cup now that the bigger teams are out( Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria).
They deserve to be there, no question, but will they handle the pressure among the World's best teams? Will they all become the next Senegal or better? Ghana Imo has already proven that they are a team to fear, but what about first time qualifier Angola?
let's discuss...

they only team that i think actually will do a good job are ghana or cote d'ivoire. Angola are going to lose all teir games and togo will at most get three points

Can you fortell the future or something? Get over your sour grapes over Angola pipping Nigeria to the WC ticket...


Angola have been making remarkable progress at youth level over the last few years. Remember their U20 side won the African title just a few years ago. So their qualification is the culmination of all those years of efforts. Not to mention the fact that they have been outstanding throughout these qualifiers. Hell, Nigeria couldn't beat them in both legs of their match.

So all this talk about Nigeria "should" have won the group is crap imo.

And about Angola's chances, why do you dismiss them firsthand? Are you some kind of palm reader or something? Who gave Senegal a chance when they went to the last WC? Look what they did. What makes you think Angola cannot do something similar?

People should stop being childish and should give credit where it is due. Nigeria knew about the head to head rule BEFORE the qualifiers started so to begin dissing it now is being outrightly silly.

Again I'll state, Angola deserve their ticket to Germany...

There is still 1 more team to be decided......

^^Morocco currently 2-1 up so we could have another twist there...Tunisia just need a draw...and they're at home.

biggest hopes will be tunisia and ivory coast..
i think angola will leave something in the WC and b a surprise, they hav 2 gud payers gilberto and flavio who play 4 ahly

Now that they've almost finished the qualifiers, I can't wait for the Group announcements.
I just hope these african teams pull a big upset before leaving Germany.

When is the draw to be announced?

The draw to decide the groups for the final competition will be held in Leipzig in December 2005.

Tunisia will come in do what they've always been doing in the WC and get knocked out early. I was hoping Morroco would qualify.

Togo are the most entertaining IMO. Their last four games in 2005 were;

08-Oct-05 CGO:TOG 2:3 (1:1)
04-Sep-05 TOG:LBR 3:0 (0:0)
18-Jun-05 SEN:TOG 2:2 (2:1)
05-Jun-05 TOG:ZAM 4:1 (2:1)

In fact, Togo President Faure Gnassingbe on Sunday declared a public holiday on Monday to celebrate the national team's first ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup finals, lol. Togo embarked on a nine-match unbeaten to gain top place in their qualifying group ahead of Senegal.

Another team to look out for is Ghana since they have a great team spirit as well as many individual talents like Essien. Ivory Coast will probably get far in the WC if Drogba continues his lucky streak.

I'll be rooting for Togo & Ghana but i'll be very happy if any of the others can get to the semifinals or finals.

I have seen Angola play and IMO, they have they capability to take on any team. They have the skill and confidence. Ivory coast is the other team am rooting for. These two, with ghana, i think will go far in the WC. Unfortunately, i still feel tunisia will struggle unless the likes of Dos santos, Jaidi and trabelsi can rise up to the occassion and perform like the do for their respective clubs.
On paper, most of the african teams that have qualified dont look like they will be too successful but in football, there is no telling what would happen and so, we can only wait and see.

Have you seen the way Tunisia plays lately? I mean if thats the way you judge a team by how they were 4 years ago or just by their past of more than 4 yrs then I can see the ignorance you are coming with...

Our results are not based on a match.. the chance arrives once and not 3 times consecutively! So by participating in our 4th world cup and in the same year we are champions of Africa and are ranked #23 with the classification of the FIFA it is not by chance!

I can understand your deception when it comes to Morocco not beeing qualified.. Maybe you should analyze the "whys" and the "hows" objectively and with realism and intelligence..

Come on man.. back up what you say with some tact and realism before pretending to be god and knowing what is going to happen...

I dont think there is anyway that we can tell whether or not the african teams are going to be successful at the world cup, because four out of the five teams that are playing haven't played at that level. The only thing that we can do is hope that they will be successful. As for teams which I think is going to show the world that africans aren't to be taken lightly are Ghana and Ivory Coast. Both of these teams have a tight team and each have players that can be very deadly on the attack. But either way, Brazil is gonna dominate the WC this year (imo).

i totally agree
swifty, back your shit up.

im hoping Angola...but it all depends on grouping

none of those srry ass teams r gonna do shit in the world cup..so dont even bother cuz it's gonna suck

mate, care to share your views in a more meaningful manner? Your post does not contribute a great deal if at all to the thread. Why do you think our teams will not do well? Why do you think the World Cup will suck? Try to address these issues rather than make meaningless tantrums.

^^^^
Back to the topic at hand, i think African teams are way too underated. We have the talent, the skill and intelligence in our footballers and these are enough to compete at any level of football.
Let me get this one in:

Ivory Coast hold Italy

Didier Drogba helped the Ivory Coast draw 1-1 with Italy
The Ivory Coast drew 1-1 with Italy in an international friendly in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba netted in the 69th minute after brilliantly controlling a 60-meter pass from defender Arthur Boka and shooting home from close range at the largely empty Stade de Geneve.

Italy equalized with just four minutes left on the clock when Vincenzo Iaquinta knocked on a cross from Gianluca Zambrotta, leaving Aimo Diana a simple tap in with his right foot.

Diana thought he had grabbed a winner in injury time, but Ivory Coast goalkeeper Barry Boubacar was adjudged to have kept the ball from crossing the goal line.

The Elephants were using the game as preparation for the African Cup of Nations in Egypt next month as well as their first ever appearance at the World Cup finals in Germany next year.

SOURCE: BBCSPORT

Well, some people may say it was a mere friendly but still it shows african teams like Ivory coast for example can hold it on their own against strong world football teams. In this regard i can only say, give the African teams a chance!

I feel that the Ivory Coast could be the real suprise package of this world cup along with Serbia and Montenegro, I don't think their going to win the tournament but I'd be suprised if they failed to reach the quarter finals and I think they have the best chance of an African nation since Cameroon in '90 to reach the Semi-finals. I certainly don't under-estimate them, I feel their a bit behind the top European sides, but their still a very good nation, and a kind draw could see them go far.

To be honest, I really don't know much about any of the African teams that qualified except for Ivory Coast. I certainly agree, I could see them doing well in this world cup. Hell, I could even see them winning the whole thing...I wouldn't bet on them by any means, but it would not shock me.

Now, while I don't know much about any of the other teams and I don't really give them much chance....I didn't know ANY Senegalese players before 2002 either! So, WHO KNOWS?!!!

Ivory /coast is very good... but I doubt it is there time.... wait to 2010 for them..... I am loving the prospects for Nigeria and Ivory Coast in 2010... Joshino..... you didint know about el Hadji Diouf? and u dont know about Tunisia

I don't think I had heard of Diouf before the world cup in Japan....maybe I had heard of him, but I didn't know much about him.

I know Tunisia has a decent team but the only player I know by name (after reviewing their roster) is Hatem Trabelsi, but I VERY rarely get a chance to watch Ajax.

My point is, who knows, maybe one of thes "lesser known" African teams can pull off another "Senegal" performance.

How is Hamed Namouchi thought of Olumide? Does he get a game for Tunisia?

No one can discount IC, honestly African teams are unpredictable, and since no one really pays attention (most Europeans dont) to such nations then it is surprising when they play against your team.

TBH after Senegal beat the snot out of France (I love watching that game over and over) and Nigeria beating Spain (I Still have nightmares about it) African teams can surprise the hell out of you.

haha Carlos I have that on my computer.... OLISEH!!!!!! haha.... but well....you have to reme,ber that both of those teams had viable talent...That Nigeria team was just as good if not better then that Spain team (talent wise) I remember telling my english friends about Senegal..... Trust me Im an African and follow African football very much....and Togo and Angola are barely African cup worthy when it comes to talent... Ghana is very good though.. I forgot them..... IC and Ghana will do wel...Tunisia is good but only can succeed in Africa

first of all ivory coast is not good..and second of all drogba isn't gonna score any goals in the world cup...if ivory coast gets lucky and doesnt get put in a hard group with some decent teams in europe then that's it....cuz we all know togo isn't gonna do shit....i our only hope is tunisia or ghana..or else it's just gonna be a long world cup for all the african fans including me....and guys dont expect any miracles to occur like last world cup when senegal beat france...it was lucky and some of the french stars weren't even playing

^^gosh...some people just never listen...

Frankly I dont disagree with this that much....(Though he has an obvious hate of Drogba.). I think that ACN 2006 will be a better statement of the state of African football.

^^^^^^
Why.... because nigeria did not qualify? Or is that you just dont think the teams are not talented enough to win any game in this tournament?

Maybe..... but i still believe the teams will go far, i could be wrong but am not ruling out any surprise!

Well In my opinion many of Africas talents will not be there....No Nigeria No Morroco No Cameroon No South Africa....Frankly I think Togo and Angola arent up to it... The others will make a decent show maybe......Ghana is the biggest maybe...

ya thank u lets hope ghana can do something man...(FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOCCERKING19)

Here's how it's turned out for the African teams...


GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland


GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal


GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic


GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo


GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

I really feel sorry for the Ivory Coast...I just can't see them progressing from that group . It's interesting to see Angola paired with 'big brother' Portugal - it'll be a great game when they meet. I fancied Angola to be the surprise team from Africa after they qualified...with the draw out, I still do . Ghana are also in for a torrid time as Italy and the Czechs are both strong while the US has come of age in recent years...frankly can't see Ghana going through, but I can only hope . Togo have a fair chance I reckon, although the Swiss are no pushovers either. For Tunisia, well hopefully their experience at this level will help them...they certainly can beat Saudi Arabia, but Spain are a different proposition. And you cannot overlook any team that has a player like Sheva in their ranks so Ukraine won't be pushovers either.

To be honest, I think Africa is in for a torrid time next summer...our supposedly biggest hopes (Ghana and Ivory Coast) have been handed nightmarish draws...well we can only hope.

first i thought that african wouldn't do any good in the Wc...now i'm positive they won't do anything in the WC...i feel bad for Ivory Coast the most because they are stuck with Argentina and Holland...now we'll see how many goals drogba's srry ass can score

i think ivory coast r the best african side. i think they are the most likely to pull an upset despite being in the toughest group

MY FORECASTS:

group A: Germany + Ecuador
group B: England + Sweden
group C: Argentina + Cote d'Ivoire
group D: Iran + Portugal
group E : Italy + Czech Republic
group F: Brazil + Japan
group G: France + Switzerland
group H: Tunisia + Ukraine

This is the beginning of the bad time for the football for me. For me its time to watch african nations because Im not sure any of these boys can make it out their respective group. Ghana and Ivory Coast got a draw similar or worse to what Nigeria got in 2002. Ghana has the best shot of those two I suppose. Tunisia is a good side and a decent draw so they have a shot. But I honestly dont think there's anything specia about them. In Africa they win because they are consistent and well prepared. On the world stage, everyone is. I honestly dont think that Angola and Togo will make the grade......especially Togo who frankly have a horrible backline..and not enough attack to back it up. Angola are better.....but everyday they're losing players to steroids....and their lead up to the tournament looks bad........I'd be happy if one of these teams make to the next round

For sure Ghana will prove their existence in the World cup. Ghana vs the USA can't wait to see that game

i think u made a mistake because Holland qualifies before ivory coast

There is no harm in thinking..

The WC draw was last week and all the African sides know who they will play in the WC and will prepare for that with friendlies against similar teams etc...

Now the sides that were drawn against the African teams have the gift of the Nations cup, where they send their scouts, and tacticians to work out the African side they face in their group, and who they might face in the 2nd round or quater finals. The African are put on display for their opponents to learn them and exploit whatever weakness the teams may have.

So to answer the question I would say yes, they will succeed, but only as far as the quarterfinals where they will more than likely meet a team well prepared for them, not because of their playing stlye but because of their gift-wrapped research.

Bien vu!!
Lets hope we do get past the 1/4 finals

I think that Ghana will do well. They have got some good players that won the youth national world championship.

If what we have seen in the AFCON is anything to go by, i think Africa's representatives at the world cup will surely come out in the first round. One would expect teams that are going to the world cup will play with skill and vigour worthy of their places in the world cup but what we have seen so far are poor perfomances from some teams and some scrapy wins from the others!

Angola and Togo have mostly dissapointed! Togo's adebayor is behaving like a drama queen hence rendering his teams perfomances to be substandard as he his their top man. Angola just dont make the grade for me. I have mentioned that they might be a surprise package and all that but now i think that was a bit of being overconfident on my part!

Tunisia so far have performed but against quality teams, i dont think their defence can cope. Ghana and Ivory coast Played well but that type of performanses against teams in thier groups will surely not be adequate to secure them a place in the next round!

In short, African teams will not succeed this time around in the world cup. Oh i wish Cameroon qualified!

I certainly think Ghana and Ivory Coast should not fret....they have looked fine to me....Nigeria and Morroco are World Cup caliber competiton anyway!....both missed out by the narrowest of margins

If Cameroon or Nigeria were in the World Cup, most likely one of them would do good. In this case, I think Ivory Coast and Ghana will do okay, even though both are in tough groups.

Very interesting..

And Mexico of course is going to win it right??

ah damn...
i c Angola getting thrashed against portugal mexico and iran......
almost same 4 ghana.....
togo r lucky they're in an easy group, they could do something......
im very sorry 4 ivory coast, they're in the death group..if they were in togo's group, ohh man, but in my opinion, they still have equal chances with the rest of the 3 teams......
now all the hope is 4 tunisia 2 beat ukraine and get through, and i think they will.....

good luck 2 all
( i wish i'm wrong bout angola and ghana)

I think Tunisia, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire will all do well and will represent Africa in fine fashion. Togo and Angola will have difficulty but it is simply a great story that they qualified. I know I will be rooting for the African sides this summer!