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Sports News of Tuesday, 18 October 2022

Source: soccernet.ng

Super Eagles legend reveals what he expects from African teams at the Qatar 2022 World Cup

File photo to illustrate the story File photo to illustrate the story

Africa boasts of numerous talents across the world, but the former Bolton star believes that the continent’s representatives will not offer much at the upcoming Mundial

Former Super Eagles midfielder Jay Jay Okocha has revealed that he is not confident about Africa’s chances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Nigeria missed a place at this year’s Mundial after losing to Ghana on away goals, paving the way for the Black Stars to grab one of Africa’s five tickets.

Africa’s other gladiators for the Mundial are Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Since the World Cup began in 1930, no African team has been able to make a mark. Ghana looked promising in 2010, but they were stopped in their tracks by Uruguay in the quarterfinals. Senegal were also halted in the quarterfinals by Turkey in 2002, while Cameroon were eliminated in that same stage by England at the 1990 edition.

Africa boasts of a variety of talents and some would be at the Mundial in November. Sadio Mane, Hakim Ziyech, Mendy, and Achraf Hakimi are just a few of the top players that could light up Qatar later this month.

However, former Nigeria international Okocha believes that Africa will only huff and puff, and nothing substantial will be achieved.

“It is the first time I’m not confident about Africa’s chances in the World Cup,” Okocha told Cartonsport.com as per Ghanasoccernet.

“If you look at Asia and North America, they seem stronger and more advanced than us. We were already 50 paces behind South America and Europe, and now North America and Asia seem to be ahead of us.“We have hopes in Senegal and Morocco, they seem the strongest. Tunisia, Ghana, and Cameroon seem to be stepping stones for other teams to reach the knockout stages.

No African team has won the World Cup, but with the quality of talents coming from the continent, Africa’s time could be soon.

The World Cup begins on the 20th of November.