FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP Can Africa retain the trophy?

Over the next three weeks football enthusiasts will be treated to a sumptuous and scintillating soccer artistry in eight cities across the South American nation. But how prepared are these African teams ahead of the global challenge? Here is my summation on what possiblities lie ahead for the Africa’s four representatives. NIGERIA Nigeria is the […]

Over the next three weeks football enthusiasts will be treated to a sumptuous and scintillating soccer artistry in eight cities across the South American nation. But how prepared are these African teams ahead of the global challenge?

Here is my summation on what possiblities lie ahead for the Africa’s four representatives.

NIGERIA

Nigeria is the most successful in the U-20 African Youth Championship having bagged six titles to date. The Flying Eagles have also evinced some laudable strength at world level of the competition, finishing third in 1985, second in 1989 and narrowly losing 2-1 to Argentina in the final of the 2005 edition to place second once again.

The current generation appears to be a combative bunch, much like the 1989 and 2005 formations. Professionals from Spain, Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands mix with the rest from the Nigerian league, with one from the renowned Cote D’Ivoire club Asec Mimosas.

The Flying Eagles proved to have possessed the best attack and one of the best defences at the African Youth Championship held in South Africa, scoring nine goals, conceding only three and producing the top scorer of the tournament, Uche Nwofor of Enugu Rangers.

And fortunately, Nigeria fell in one of the most workable groups of the FIFA U20 World Cup. It is matched up against Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Guatemala, with an opener against the third. These teams have no dreadful reputation in the history of the tournament.

Nigeria seems to carry Africa’s biggest hope into the championship. Despite some uninspiring results in the build-up to the tournament, it is capable of bringing some glory to Africa.

CAMEROON

Cameroon has yet to make a name for itself in the U-20 FIFA World Cup after a couple of times participating that ended in inevitable debacles. However, the Junior Lions are not novices at world youth competitions having showed up in the U17 World Cup and the Olympics Games.

The 2011 squad at the recently ended African Youth Championship has been one of Cameroon’s most successful in the U20 competition. They beat Nigeria 1-0 in their group game and finished on top of the group with seven points. Meeting the Flying Eagles again in the final, the Lions staged a tigerish clash before honourably succumbing 3-2.

The Cameroon outfit has a reliable defense, and midfielders that can dexterously proceed via both flanks, but the finishing has been somewhat timid. Coton Sport’s Edgar Salli and Frank Ohandza of Thailand Premier League club Buriram PEA have sustained the goal scoring capacity of the team as much as they could, but coach Ndtoungou Mpile needs to reorganize his formation and teach his boys how to stay in the game, even under pressure.

Coach Mpile however promised his side would have an “honorable participation at the U-20 World Cup tournament.”

Cameroon will open against New Zealand, but will have to confront a solid Portugal side and South American giants Uruguay, to be able to progress from the group stage.

EGYPT

Egypt’s best record at the U20 World Cup is a third place spot in the 2001 edition hosted and won by Argentina. But hosting the tournament at home in 2009, where African’s Ghana clinched the title for the first time, served as an eye opener and brought wide motivation for youth soccer across the north African country.

And at the 2011 African Youth Championship the Pharaohs came with a set up composed of fledgling talents from Egypt’s top clubs – Al Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily, among others. They floated the country’s traditional play pattern of pace and massive surge, finishing second in their group after edging hosts South Africa and Lesotho, to claim bronze against Mali in the third place playoff.

But the Egyptians face a Herculean task of opening the tournament against four-time title winner and second-most successful side Brazil. If the North Africans fumble, they could expect some recovery against the two other members of their group, Austria and Panama, who might not really be the minnows they seem to be.

MALI

Mali finished third in the 1999 edition of the U20 World Cup, beating a formidable Uruguay side 1-0. The junior Eagles have also been regulars at the African Youth Championships, and are rated the 10th most successful on the continent.

At the South Africa 2011 edition, Mali kept a stranglehold on Group A with seven points after stunning host South Africa 4-2 and Egypt 1-0, only to fall to the Pharaohs when both teams met for the second time in the third place playoff.

However, the Eagles left the tournament igniting hope for a presentable outing at the junior World Cup in July.

Unfortunately, Mali is in the group of death of the tournament, whose other members are host country Colombia, France and South Korea. Surviving the group would be an uphill battle for the West Africans, considering the fact that their grip and experience seem inferior when juxtaposed with those other formations.

Mali coach Cheick Diallo says his side is in quest of more exposure and truly has nothing to win or lose at the Colombia 2011. This level-headed attitude could perhaps help them confront any team with the necessary mettle.

GROUP ANALYSIS

Group A – Colombia, France, Mali, South Korea

The host nation will struggle and likely compete with South Korea for the second spot, with a strong France side taking the top. The tournament format does allow for quarterfinal spots for four teams finishing third, but the ideal situation will be at No.1 or No.2.

Group B – Uruguay, Portugal, Cameroon, New Zealand.

Portugal and Uruguay are the likely No.1 and No.2, but don’t rule out Cameroon, who could offer some surprises.

Group C – Spain, Australia, Ecuador, Costa Rica

Spain should win the group, with Ecuador the likely second. Australia and Costa Rica are probably an even call for a three spot.

Group D – Nigeria, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala

Nigeria and Croatia are the favorites. I think Flying Eagles have the potential to go deep, especially if they take the group.

Group E – Brazil, Austria, Egypt, Panama

This is Brazil’s group to own, and barring a collapse, the only question will be who will finish behind them. I think Egypt will come out in the second spot.

Group F – Argentina, Mexico, North Korea, England.

Every World Cup has a group that is a killer, and for this tournament it’s Group F. On paper, Argentina and Mexico should be one and two, but England are strong and North Korea could prove dangerous.

Mexico will be playing with the pressure of knowing the U-17 side just won their World Cup on home soil, and will probably take anything less than a semifinal experience as a letdown.

Look for Argentina to emerge, with England and Mexico battling it out for the No.2 spot.

The run to the finals

Will this tournament go along as predicted, or will there be a Cinderella story like Uzbekistan in the U-17 World Cup? Only the time on the pitch will tell, but fans can look forward to a good U-20 World Cup, no matter who emerges from group play.Uzbekistan went as far as the quarterfinals, losing there to eventual runners-up Uruguay.

As for who will win it all, I think France, Croatia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and Nigeria are my favorites to go deep. The youth tournaments are even harder to predict than the mains, but I’ll still go with my out-on-a-limb pick to win…Argentina.