An African team can't win the World Cup.
At the start of the qualifiers, the odds on Egypt winning the World Cup were 1500-1. The African champions. For a tournament in Africa. I was very tempted to put a few bob on that one, then decided against it.
Each African team will, I believe, qualify from their groups. More and more, the European teams are finding themselves ridiculously nackered after playing in every cup / league/ european game their countries have to offer, and the home crowds will get them through on adrenaline. From a tournament point of view, that'd make from some cracking last 16 ties.
But then you have the tactics. People like Bryan Robson and John Barnes coach these teams. It's still all about tricks and spectacular goals from 85 yards. The keepers are hilarious, and are just as likely to kick their centre-back's head off as they are to catch a cross. The best centre-back on the continent is still probably Rigobert Song. Or that Booth bloke who could get outpaced byPeter Crouch.
When it comes to the last 16, is there any African team that can keep their focus for 90 mins, commit the odd professional foul without getting sent off, adjust to a new formation mid-game or win a penalty shootout? Don't think so - therefore I can't see any home nations making the last four. But I hope to God I'm wrong x
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