Sports
2014 W/Cup: Five Matches That Will Decide Africa’s Fate
As the 2014 World Cup
draw continues to elicit comments and inspire expectations, a peep into African flagbearers groups, perhaps indicates five matches that could decide Africa’s fortunes at the World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria v. Bosnia-Herzegovina
If one of Africa’s sides is to breach the glass ceiling of the quarter-finals this summer, then Nigeria might be the continent’s best bet.
Algeria has the easy draw but lacks the quality, while Ghana possesses the quality but finds themselves in the tournament’s Group of Death.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has both a squad brimming with talent and a group draw which makes progression a realistic proposition.
The Super Eagles could then potentially be looking forward to a second round tie with an unconvincing France side or Switzerland, the weakest of the eight seeds.
Neither of these possibilities will concern Stephen Keshi and his young Nigeria side, but the knock-out round will only become reality if the West Africans can escape the group.
To do that, they will surely need to beat Bosnia in Cuiaba in their second match. If the Super Eagles can follow victory over Iran with defeat of Bosnia, then they will have the wings to make the second round without needing to beat Argentina.
Failure to do this and something special will be needed against Messi and Co.
Ghana v. Portugal
Possibly by the time Ghana and Portugal arrive at the group’s final game, on June 26 in Brasilia, they will each have taken points off the United States and have been defeated by Germany.
Thus, their final group game will prove to be a showdown between two sides both seeking that final qualifying spot alongside Joachim Low’s men.
Some may anticipate this one being a foregone conclusion, with Portugal able to both match Ghana’s force and outplay them along the ground.
Portugal, however, is not infallible and if Ghana can manage to infiltrate their defence, then the Black Stars could be on the road to repeat, or even improve upon, their terrific quarter-final showing of 2010.
Cote d’Ivoire v. Colombia
Finally, at the third attempt, Cote d’Ivoire has a fair-to-good chance of not flying home after the first round.
The group stage draw left the Elephants pooled with Colombia, Greece and Japan. Considering that, in recent tournaments, they have been forced to face Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and the Netherlands, this represents a considerably easier summer.
The Ivorians open against Japan, which will not be a straight-forward contest, but I suspect that their second match, against group seeds Colombia, will be the pick of the bunch.
This fixture is arguably one of the biggest the Golden Generation has faced since they began to emerge into the international arena 13 years ago.
The 2014 World Cup represents the last chance these faded old veterans will have of leaving a legacy in world football. Beat Colombia in Brasilia and the collective may finally be on course to leave the tangible memory that their talent deserves.
Cameroon v. Mexico
Cameroon and Mexico will open their World Cup campaigns on June 13, competing against each other in Natal.
Having watched Group A’s other two teams, Brazil and Croatia, open the tournament the day before, these two will know what is expected of them and the challenges that lie in store.
Bearing in mind that hosts Brazil will likely take one of Group A’s promotion spots, El Tri and the Indomitable Lions will know that any slip up could prove fatal.
This contest will likely set the tone for both nations’ World Cup.
Mexico is a fragile bunch at the moment. They endured a horrible qualifying campaign and have had five different managers since the last World Cup. Jose Manuel de la Torre was ousted in early September as the Mexican FA lost faith and three different bosses have sat in the hotseat since then.
Should Cameroon start well against the Central Americans, then La Verde are more than capable of losing their heads and their composure.
If Eto’o and Co. can join Brazil on three points after the first round of matches, then they have every chance of joining the Selecao in the Round of 16. Lose to Mexico, and Cameroon might repeat their trick of 2010, when they were the first team eliminated from the tournament.
Algeria v. Korea Republic
As mentioned above, Algeria may be considered the weakest of the African sides, but they have been drawn into a very encouraging World Cup pool.
They sit in Group H along with Belgium, Russia and South Korea.
While the Red Devils, with their massed talent including Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, ought to top the group in some style, the second qualification spot is well and truly up for grabs.
One can envisage a three-way dogfight between the other sides — it will be a struggle that Algeria has every chance of surviving.
The Fennecs’ opening game against the Belgians ought to be treated as a bonus fixture, after that, they will have two matches to save their World Cup.
The first, against South Korea on June 22, will be critical. If Algeria can outwork their traditionally industrious opponents, then they stand a chance of slipping into the knock-out stages. If they fail to perform against the East Asians, then they might be set for a second consecutive first round elimination.
Dove is a sports analyst.
Nigeria’s defender, Efe Ambrose (2) during one of the World Cup qualifiers
Brian Brobbey scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Sunderland came from behind to beat Newcastle United in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been on target for their first home victory in this fixture since 2010 when Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead.
Sunderland played out from the back but defender Luke O’Nien’s pass was intercepted by Nick Woltemade and he gave it to Gordon, who did the rest to score his 17th goal of the season.
The hosts almost made it 2-0 just before the break, but Sven Botman headed against the post following a cross from left-back Lewis Hall, one of five Newcastle players to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, another called up by Tuchel, did not get great distance on a punch, the ball was played back into the box, Brobbey chested it goalwards and Dan Burn cleared off the line, only for Chemsdine Talbi to fire in the rebound.
Noah Sadiki had a chance to put Sunderland ahead, only for him to shoot at Ramsdale.
Yet it did not prove costly as Brobbey scored the late winner, to the delight of the away fans, when he converted a rebound from close range after Ramsdale saved his first attempt.
The result gives Sunderland their first league double over Newcastle since 2014-15.
Rangers International technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu has credited his recent stint with the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle as a major factor behind the club’s resurgence in the Nigeria Premier Football League title race, Tidesports source reports.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ matchday 31 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu, Ilechukwu said the experience gained at international level has significantly influenced his approach, particularly in the areas of intensity, discipline and overall team structure.
“Change is constant in life. After working closely with Eric Chelle, the mentality I got from him is not an easy one. The training sessions are super intense, about 80 per cent of what we do now is heavy training,” he said.
Ilechukwu maintained that the discipline and structure he adopted during his time with the national team have translated directly into improved performances at the club level.
“I think my return has had a positive impact defensively, offensively, everything. The preparation, the pep talks, the quality, it gives confidence. I came back with an advantage,” he said.
Rangers have enjoyed a remarkable run since his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, losing just once in 11 matches, with six wins, four draws and seven clean sheets propelling them firmly into contention.
They currently sit second on the table with 50 points, just one behind leaders Rivers United, with eight matches remaining in the season.
Despite their strong position, Ilechukwu insisted his side will not be weighed down by pressure as the title race intensifies.
“There is no different message, we don’t want to be under pressure because of the league. We take it one game after the other, after this game we talk about the next one,” he said.
He added that his players possess the necessary qualities to compete at the highest level.
“They understand what it takes to win. They have the attitude, the capacity, the character, and they understand what we want. To me, we are always ready,” he said.
While acknowledging the strength of Rivers United, Ilechukwu maintained that the title race remains open heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
“They are the strongest team, but you never can tell what will happen. We are also strong. In the remaining games, we will fight more and stay at the top of our game but without pressure,” he said.
Having guided Rangers to the NPFL title in the 2023/24 season, Ilechukwu is now aiming to secure his second league crown in three years as the Enugu side continue their pursuit of the title.
Odegbami described CAF’s decision to overturn the Jan. 18 final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”
As reported by Tidesports source on Saturday, he noted that Senegal were crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.
“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after,” he said.
Odegbami said the decision had sparked outrage among football fans and stakeholders worldwide.
“This judgment has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” he added.
The ex-Nigerian Football Legend questioned the motive behind the decision, describing it as risky and unpopular.
“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.
Odegbami said although football regulations may not cover every situation, rare cases require wisdom.
“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.
He recalled that Senegal were crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience.
“Two months later, CAF delivered what I call a ‘poisoned verdict’ through its Appeals Committee,” he said.
Odegbami explained that Morocco’s protest, earlier dismissed, was later upheld on appeal.
“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said..
He said the rules on walkouts are clear but must be applied with context.
According to him, Senegal players walked off after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, staying away for 17 minutes.
“Ordinarily, that attracts forfeiture, but the referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything,” he said.
Odegbami noted that petitions can alter results but argued that the AFCON final was different.
“If this were a qualifier, nobody would question the CAF’s decision. But this was the final,” he said.
He stressed that the trophy had been awarded and celebrations concluded before the reversal.
“There was no room for post-match litigation in a final of this magnitude,” he said.
Odegbami maintained that the referee’s decision to restart play nullified the forfeiture clause.
“The match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal scored and won fairly,” he said.
He insisted that CAF had no justification to overturn the result after recognising a winner.
“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.
Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and restore Senegal as champions.
“For now, CAF should retrace its steps and return the trophy to Senegal,” he advised.
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