Egypt won 2-1. With the World Cup draws done and dusted in Moscow, Yahoo Sport UK, takes a look at the groups the five African teams have been drawn in and how they can expect to fare when the quadrennial event kicks off next summer.
With the World Cup draws done and dusted in Moscow, Yahoo Sport UK, takes a look at the groups the five African teams have been drawn in and how they can expect to fare when the quadrennial event kicks off next summer.
- Egypt
This is Egypt’s first World Cup appearance since 1990 and Hector Cúper’s side have been handed a rather benevolent draw in what, on paper, is the most open group at next year’s tournament.
There is no obvious favourite in a group also containing hosts Russia, Uruguay and a Saudi Arabia side making its first appearance since 2002. Russia are the weakest hosts in recent memory, perhaps even weaker than South Africa at the 2010 edition and their group stage elimination at the Confederations Cup earlier this year suggests they will not be pulling up any trees when the competition gets underway.
Saudi Arabia are relatively unknown and could be the whipping boys while Uruguay, despite the presence of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, are not the force of old they used to be but are still the strongest in the group.
Egypt will be relying on the continued brilliance of Mohammed Salah to lead them through as well as Mohammed Elneny and Abdallah Said in midfield. The goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is set to be the oldest player at the World Cup aged 45 and Cuper will count on his team being defensively solid – only once (in 30 games) have the Pharaohs conceded more than one goal under Cúper.
2. Morocco
Morocco, on their return to the World Cup after a painful exit in 1998, have been drawn into a tough-looking group with Spain, Portugal and Iran.
The obvious favourites are a rejuvenated Spain side seeking to right the wrongs of their previous outing in Brazil, while a Portugal team led by Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction.
Iran are the dark horses but were the first Asian side to qualify and did so with 12 consecutive clean sheets. They cannot be discounted. Morocco, for their part, will hope Herve Renard’s tactical nous on the African continent will translate to the world stage.
The Atlas Lions qualified ahead of Cote d’Ivoire in their qualifying group with 11 goals scored and none conceded in six games. Like all of Renard’s sides Morocco are resolute at the back, and in so doing, have little flair going forward despite the presence of some truly exciting players.
The experience of Mehdi Benatia and Karim El Ahmadi should provide a crucial platform for the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Younes Belhanda and the mercurial Sofiane Boufal to strut their stuff upfront. It promises to be a tough group and Morocco will need a lot to go their way to stand a chance of making it through to the Round of 16.
3. Nigeria
Nigeria’s third consecutive appearance at a World Cup finals will see them take on Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in what should be a dogfight between three teams to decide who finishes in second place behind Argentina. Remarkably, Nigeria and Argentina are facing each other for the third consecutive group stage game (and the fifth in six World Cup appearances for Nigeria overall) after meeting in South Africa and Brazil, and with a 4-2 friendly win for Nigeria over their opponents in Krasnodar in November, both of these teams could be sick of the sight of each other when the World Cup rolls around next summer.
Gernot Rohr’s side have improved considerably over the last year, with a functional 4-3-3 working a treat and Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi playing pivotal roles. John Obi Mikel leads the team from central midfield with Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi doing the hard work behind him.
The Super Eagles have a problem in goal with Carl Ikeme undergoing cancer treatment and the duo of Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi not convincing enough. Vincent Enyeama could still be persuaded into a return and a striker to compete with Odion Ighalo would be ideal. Nigeria can take solace from the fact Iceland are first-timers at the World Cup and could suffer from stage fright despite their recent achievements.
Croatia had a difficult time in qualifying and have struggled to be better than the sum of their parts despite having some talented individual within their ranks.
