True to his words, World Cup had not started even as the hosts and organizers Qatar suffered dreadfully in that 0-2 loss to Ecuador on Sunday 20th November, to kickstart the World’s architype of football.
One commentator-journalist noted; “World Cup is yet to begin” citing the low-key level of performance witnessed in the Qatar Vs Ecuador opener. And the fact that Brazil, Portugal, Germany, France, Spain, Argentina and England, to name them, were yet to do their usual and great football business on the pitch as they have been widely regarded as greats here.
He was right. Though I can tell you my World Cup started as soon as Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon Morocco and Tunisia also kicked balls in Qatar. True, some fixtures involving these African giants have disappointed. But it’s also true that some results have got many supporters of African football excited and smiling at least.
Where our brothers still fault and will continue faulting, at least some have worked really hard to lift the Continent from the hopeless basket, giving many of us Africans a ray of hope that some season at the World Cup, Africa might rule. We hope! Senegal almost got here during the 2002 edition. Only for Turkey to eliminate them at the quarter-final stage!
Turkey didn’t allow Africa party to last and came up with a way to prevent Senegal from bringing her buoyant brand of soccer then, into what could have been a rousing semifinal with Brazil. Senegal became a point of reference, having been the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated using the fair play rule – The Sudden death.
That Saturday in Osaka, Japan, Turkey, having been halted for 90 minutes, scored a golden goal in the fourth minute of overtime for a 1-0 quarterfinal victory. Nonetheless, for this 2022 edition, twenty-two years later, it is notably put that Africa still has homework, though, also look at how some nations are doing some really good football. Look at how Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 to keep knockout stage qualifying hopes alive.
Both were looking for their first win, with South Korea drawing 0-0 against Uruguay while Ghana had lost 3-2 to Portugal in their first group games. A group that has Uruguay and Portugal, very highly fancied, and so both teams need a win to keep their hopes of the knock-out stages alive. Ghana in there, also hopeful it’s a feat for them.
Up next for me is the Morocco upset of Belgium as Atlas Lions pulled off another huge shock to the big gun in Qatar. Morocco stunned Belgium for yet another moment of celebration on Africa at the World Cup. Quickly, I will go for Senegal. Africa was also happy that you beat host Qatar, recording Africa’s first win.
For the record, Qatar became the first nation in Qatar eliminated at group but after losing to my Senegal brother at group A. To our other representatives Cameroon and Tunisia, we are aware in sports you lose some and win some… next time better. For now, we can discuss these results with much interest and emphasis on Africa.
Full results so far
Monday 28th November
Cameroon 3-3 Serbia
Korea Republic 2-3 Ghana
Brazil 1-0 Switzerland
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
Sunday 27th November
Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Belgium 0-2 Morocco
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Spain 1-1 Germany
Saturday 26th November
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
France 2-1 Denmark
Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Friday 25th November
Wales 0-2 Iran
Qatar 1-3 Senegal
Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
England 0-0 United States of America
Thursday 24th November
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon
Uruguay 0-0 Korea Republic
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Wednesday 23rd November
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Germany 1-2 Japan
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
Belgium 1-0 Canada
Tuesday 22nd November
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
Mexico 0-0 Poland
France 4-1 Australia
Monday 21st November
England 6-2 Iran
Senegal 0- 2 Netherlands
United States of America 1-1 Wales
Sunday 20th November
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
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