Brazil 2014 W/Cup Kicks Off, ’Morrow

At last, the long awaited FIFA World Cup in the land of Samba, Brazil Kicks off tomorrow in Sao Paulo with the opening ceremony and first game between hosts, the Selecano of Brazil and Croatia.
It is the 20th edition of the biggest football event in the world and promises exhilarating experiences with the passion and history the game has acquired among the locals.
Indeed, the South American nation will be the focus of all football lovers all over the world as 32 countries seek to earn the coveted trophy when the final match is decided on July 13, 2014.
Already, pundits have installed countries as among favourites to lift the world cup next month, with hosts Brazil, defending champions Spain, former winners Argentina, Germany and Italy being seen as likely winners.
The hosts are looking to win the mundial for an unprecedented six times while current world and European title holders, Spain seek to add to their recent successes and prove that their golden generation still has the quality to rule the world.
For Germany, Argentina and Italy, the objective is to return to winning ways at the biggest football stage and add to their previous triumphs.
Africa has five representatives in Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroon, who will try to fly the continent’s flag beyond the quarter finals limit achieved by Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana.
Nigeria is in group F alongside Iran, Bosnia and Argentina, Algeria is in group A with South Korea, Russia and Belgium, while Cote d’ Ívoire will battle with Colombia, Greece and Japan in Group C.
Cameroon and Ghana seem to have the more difficult task of navigating the group stage after being lumped in groups A with hosts, Brazil, Croatia and Mexico and group G with Germany, Portugal and USA, respectively.
Apart from the contest for the title at stake, Brazil 2014 is an opportunity for some of the crème de la crème of the game to strut their stuff and treat the world to their talents.
It is a stage for Super stars like Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugai’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil’s Neymar, Uruguay’s Suarez and Edwinson Carvani, Netherland’s Robin Van Persie among others to come out and dominate the scene and etch their names amongst the Peles and Maradonas of the sport.
Regrettably, some of the stars expected to light up the world cup bowed out to injury before their team get to Brazil. Consequently, the world will be robbed of the class performance of the likes of Colombia’s Radamel Falcao, Richardo Montoliwo of Italy, Marco Reus of Germany, Franok Ribery of France among others.
However, the world cup promises a month long existement that would certainly add a new page in the annals of football history and improve on the colourful experience of the last edition held in South Africa four years ago.

USA’s Clint Dempsey (left) powers past Nigeria’s Juwon Oshaniwa, during an international friendly between USA and Nigeria at the weekend