African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 FIFA WorldCup 2026.

[knowngunman]

The situation is bad for the African nations in the knockout stage. We are still in the beginning of it and we have more than half of them being disqualified. By the end of the group of 32, only Morocco will left?
Egypt will face Australia. That's not a hard match and has nothing to do with Morocco vs Netherlands for example. Same goes for Ghana, their opponent, Colombia, isn't the hardest one among the list.
Bookies are supporting Egypt and Colombia. Ghana odds are +8..

Technically, we're not on the same level with the European teams. It's not as if we can not beat them, we can beat them actually but our problem is very obvious. We normally start strong but lack the energy to finish the game and it seems they have already study that part of us. Reasom why Africa countries usually score first to take the lead and the opponent come from behind to beat us.

Imagine leading and dominating only to concede and get knocked out in the 86 minutes. That's what happened to three of our African brothers in this tournament. This is not longer about luck, it's our pattern and the opponent already know about it. The Belgium coach confirmed it after their match. He said they were wary of early pressure but they know it'll fade out before final whistle. Africa countries should fix their game management especially how to complete the finish in the final third.

[Princess Leah]

I am tired 😩, more African countries are losing in the round of 32. Will it be only Morocco that will qualify for the round of 16? Switzerland scored 2 goals when played with Algeria, the two goals were scored during first half. Algeria has been knocked out of the world cup, it is highly disappointing.

Saw this coming so I'm not really surprised, what amazes me is that some of the teans who got eliminated from the round of 32 scored first but were eliminated through comeback, the one that shocked me most is Senegal, they were already two goals up and almost close to eliminating Belgium but it happened like magic and Belgium equalized with three minutes and won in the added time of the extra minutes after full time.

 That's a very disappointing way to be eliminated, although the Senegalese have tried in getting that far but they'll have to do better next time, likewise Ivory Coast. The only African team i can trust so far is Morocco, they amaze me with their performance and I'm beginning to trust that they might pass the round of 32.

[Nightwatchmare]

Senegalese national team could not hold onto their game plan from the first half of the game. I don't know if it is low mentality from these players though, they do not play like they want to knock out these European nations.
The same goes with Ivory Coast who played everything but couldn't get to score in that game against Norway. The only African nation who thinks they stand a chance physically, mentally and tactically have always been Morocco. I have always underrated them but they have proven me wrong every time. Next up will be against Canada; most definitely Moroccans tear them apart.

Frustration arises after Senegal conceded 3 goals after leading with a 2-goal lead. The Senegalese head coach was frustrated during the late penalty. Aliou Cissé has decided to take a break from national duty due to the defeat as well. Supporters are not happy, and from what I have seen, this is a common mistake most African teams make in this World Cup. Trying to sit back after leading the game will lead to more goals.

African teams are still struggling with the mentality to play against European teams, this is why the modern Moroccan team feels they are not part of Africa cos they play like the Europeans with style, tactics and the mentality.

Senegal had no right losing that game yesterday. A lot of people might be blaming the coach, he made wrong decisions removing his best players from the team towards the end when there’s a bullish opponent striker, I think the players relaxed that it was over when it wasn’t and they paid the price.

African teams are struggling to play against European teams in the round of 32 because the European teams they were paired against are stronger than them, that made it possible for European teams to score late goals against Africa teams, the struggle of African teams against European teams is not what made Morocco team feels they are not part of Africa, Morocco feels they are not part of Africa because of their color and not because they play like European team. You do not remove your best players when you are not sure of winning a game. Senegal removing his best players when they are needed to cause chaos for Belgium defenders is a big mistake, and some persons will blame him for Senegal loss.

[Agbam]

Interesting things happening at the World Cup. Looks like a script writing but it’s not. Three African teams playing against Europeans teams all had their hearts broken at the 86 minute and by the number 9 of the opponent team.

Two of the teams DR Congo and Senegal were leading up until that moment and then everything shattered after that, it’s like the juju they say Africans are using turned against them.

Football have a way of giving us interesting and mind blowing stories.

[Slow death]

I am tired 😩, more African countries are losing in the round of 32. Will it be only Morocco that will qualify for the round of 16? Switzerland scored 2 goals when played with Algeria, the two goals were scored during first half. Algeria has been knocked out of the world cup, it is highly disappointing.

The African teams are being very disappointing. When many African teams managed to get past the group stage, it seemed like we would see something different in the next phase, but they are being eliminated one by one, and the most unbelievable thing is seeing them lead in the first half but lose at the end of the game. For today's game between Switzerland and Algeria, I wasn't surprised by the result.

Algeria was in the same World Cup qualifying group as my country and qualified, but not in a way that convinced me, so I didn't expect much from them. For today's games involving African teams, they will be difficult matches. Ghana against Colombia is not an easy game; Colombia was in the same group as Portugal and qualified undefeated. Cape Verde will play against Argentina, a very strong opponent.

[Zigabel]

Interesting things happening at the World Cup. Looks like a script writing but it’s not. Three African teams playing against Europeans teams all had their hearts broken at the 86 minute and by the number 9 of the opponent team.

Two of the teams DR Congo and Senegal were leading up until that moment and then everything shattered after that, it’s like the juju they say Africans are using turned against them.

Football have a way of giving us interesting and mind blowing stories.

It is really sad seeing the way African teams are helplessly crashing out of the competition,  I see that Senegal had all the chances,  they even gave us hope that they were going to make it pass this stage , only for them to shatter the hopes some minutes to the end of the game, I felt so heart broken because I supported them with all my heart.

The juju factor isn't something I consider real actually,  because I can't seem to understand or connect the relativity between what happens on the pitch and how some witch doctor's out there are able to determine  the out come, it has almost always looked unreal to me, so I do not see or expect such to have any effect or be of help to the African sides.

So far,  Morocco is the only African team who has qualified to the next round,  we look forward to having at least one or two more African sides qualifying to the next round of the competition.

[Ronsbit]

I was expecting Senegal to defend their goal and not feel relaxed over the win they already put over their opponent but it was unfortunate that they were thinking they had won the match when the ref has not blown the final whistle. I have noticed this thing about African teams. They tend to feel relaxed whenever they are winning a match forgetting that till ref blows the final whistle, anything can happen as long as the match is still very much active and running.

They were use to there play that's why but it didn't occur  to them that this Europeans and Americans doesn't give up easily the way our countries in Africa use to do if there were much goals and limited time on them. Actually in Senegal position I don't no how an over excitement would make them feel they have won Belgium, they were taught of different things on this tournament and not just about the strategy to score an opponent but also how they could protect the goals they have scored after they are leading so there is no way the Senegal 10 players will go back that Belgium will use 8 players to attack them and equalize, so actually it was a mathematics that was due for Senegal to use and control Belgium till the end and Belgium will not score any goal.

I think the coach failed in his calculations on how to tactically handle the match since they were winning. He could have changed the formation while the match was ongoing, after Belgium had scored a goal, to see how it would end up, and also strengthen the defense to make sure the Belgian players could not easily break into their 18. The fault is all from the coach as he is inexperienced in this level of World Cup qualification at an international standard, to know what to do to maintain the lead till the match was over. This is the same error I have observed about the African coaches and teams, and they tend to make such mistakes repeatedly world cup tournaments.

[Agbamoni]

All 8 or 9 African teams that qualified for the round of 32 are going back home one by one, except for Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Ghana. Morocco is already in the round of 16. Cape Verde will determine their fate today as they face Argentina. Australia vs Egypt is going to be difficult to predict which of the teams will progress. While Ghana has to beat Colombia if they want another chance to show face in the World Cup.

[Fiatless]

The African teams are being very disappointing. When many African teams managed to get past the group stage, it seemed like we would see something different in the next phase, but they are being eliminated one by one, and the most unbelievable thing is seeing them lead in the first half but lose at the end of the game. For today's game between Switzerland and Algeria, I wasn't surprised by the result.

Algeria was in the same World Cup qualifying group as my country and qualified, but not in a way that convinced me, so I didn't expect much from them. For today's games involving African teams, they will be difficult matches. Ghana against Colombia is not an easy game; Colombia was in the same group as Portugal and qualified undefeated. Cape Verde will play against Argentina, a very strong opponent.

The hope of having more than one African team in the Round of Sixteen is declining drastically. The most annoying part was that we lost when we already had the advantage to win. Imagine Senegal losing a game they were leading by two goals, with a few minutes to go. DR Congo was already cruising to victory until Harry Kane got the equalizer. The hope now is on Ghana, Egypt, and Cape Verde to join Morocco in the next round.

[Zanab247]

All 8 or 9 African teams that qualified for the round of 32 are going back home one by one, except for Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Ghana. Morocco is already in the round of 16. Cape Verde will determine their fate today as they face Argentina. Australia vs Egypt is going to be difficult to predict which of the teams will progress. While Ghana has to beat Colombia if they want another chance to show face in the World Cup.

I have confidence on Egypt players to win today game to join Morocco among the Africa clubs that qualified for the next round, because Egypt will play this game as if they are playing final stage and they will not allow anything to cause them to end up disgrace. Argentina have potential players but it will not going to stop Cape Verde not to display what they know how to display best in this game, because they have strong defenders that will make Argentina not to secure opportunity they secured in their last game because Cape Verde defenders will not give their strikers such chance to secure a single goal from this game.

I don't think Australia will shake Egypt in this game today, but they may stop Egypt strikers not to secure goal in the first half but they can't stop Egypt strikers not to secure goals in the second half, because Egypt have players that will do what will make the Australia to reduce strength until Egypt secure victory to move to the next stage.

[Obim34]

The hope of having more than one African team in the Round of Sixteen is declining drastically. The most annoying part was that we lost when we already had the advantage to win. Imagine Senegal losing a game they were leading by two goals, with a few minutes to go. DR Congo was already cruising to victory until Harry Kane got the equalizer. The hope now is on Ghana, Egypt, and Cape Verde to join Morocco in the next round.

This is a big shame to Africa, only Morocco is carrying the whole African countries in this tournament, last time they succeeded in reaching the semi final of the World Cup, yet West African countries has a massive hate on them, meanwhile we are no where near their level when it comes to competing internationally.

Even if Nigeria had qualified, I doubt if we will be same place as Morocco is now, I'm very unhappy about our condition, it seems like a curse, football not for Africans, we had the biggest World Cup slots, but see how many of us are remaining.

[Doan9269]

Now I'm beginning to fear again as I see some of African countries getting eliminated from the world cup, my thought was that they are now performing lesser when we begin to praise them of higher performance, sometimes the more you chant people on a well done job the now started to fumble and disappoint you than you expected, but let's see those that we eventually made it to the last stage and how things will go on henceforth, but I still have confidence in Africa because of the teams that are still in play are up to task.

[Oluwa-btc]

African teams work so hard to curtail the strong attacking powers of European sides. They end up overworking, making them not remain strong and consistent towards the end of the games.

I have never doubted the ability of the Moroccan side. The team has remained solid since their outstanding performance in the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar. My brother said I am made to believe this, but I have this feeling that Cape Verde will pull up a surprise against Argentina .

It is overwhelming when you see it multiple times with different African nations. Becomes almost like a pattern. Moroccans will definitely beat Canada by a landslide and I'm far from joking.

Hate watching Argentina always get to be a complete waste of time during this competition. I will be most grateful if they can get a win out of this game. Cape Verde yet to lose a game in this tournament though.

[Agbamoni]

I was expecting Senegal to defend their goal and not feel relaxed over the win they already put over their opponent but it was unfortunate that they were thinking they had won the match when the ref has not blown the final whistle. I have noticed this thing about African teams. They tend to feel relaxed whenever they are winning a match forgetting that till ref blows the final whistle, anything can happen as long as the match is still very much active and running.

This is the second time Belgium is doing a comeback. Before the previous game against Senegal, Belgium was 2 goals down against Japan. Belgium actually came back to win 3:2. History actually repeated itself against Senegal. Belgium won again 3:2 after being 2 goals down. However, Belgium will face the United States on Tuesday next week. They have to be careful because what may have worked for them against Japan and Senegal may give a different outcome when they face the United States.

[Slow death]

The African teams are being very disappointing. When many African teams managed to get past the group stage, it seemed like we would see something different in the next phase, but they are being eliminated one by one, and the most unbelievable thing is seeing them lead in the first half but lose at the end of the game. For today's game between Switzerland and Algeria, I wasn't surprised by the result.

Algeria was in the same World Cup qualifying group as my country and qualified, but not in a way that convinced me, so I didn't expect much from them. For today's games involving African teams, they will be difficult matches. Ghana against Colombia is not an easy game; Colombia was in the same group as Portugal and qualified undefeated. Cape Verde will play against Argentina, a very strong opponent.

The hope of having more than one African team in the Round of Sixteen is declining drastically. The most annoying part was that we lost when we already had the advantage to win. Imagine Senegal losing a game they were leading by two goals, with a few minutes to go. DR Congo was already cruising to victory until Harry Kane got the equalizer. The hope now is on Ghana, Egypt, and Cape Verde to join Morocco in the next round.

Just when we thought that after seeing all those sad facts where African teams scored first but then conceded and lost, it might have ended, now I'm seeing the same thing in this Egypt vs. Australia game. Egypt scored the first goal in the 13th minute, the first half ended with Egypt winning, but then in the second half Egypt conceded a goal and the game is tied. It's unbelievable how we Africans aren't managing to get many teams to the next stage. I'm not disrespecting Australia, but it's very humiliating that Egypt can't even beat Australia. Honestly, our African champions are embarrassing us greatly.

[Texac]

Blame it on the coaching staffs, why did they substitute Gueye in the first place.

I saw him handling midfield very well single handly. The momentum of the match changed immediately after he was taken off in 67th minute. And Belgium did not make the mistake of quickly taking advantage of that opportunity. Senegal were ahead at that time, they should have been more intelligent in final minutes and parked the bus.

In knockout football one wrong decision by the coach can change the fate of entire match. Hopefully other African teams will learn from this mistake and maintain their discipline until the last minute of match.

Senegalese national team could not hold onto their game plan from the first half of the game. I don't know if it is low mentality from these players though, they do not play like they want to knock out these European nations.
The same goes with Ivory Coast who played everything but couldn't get to score in that game against Norway. The only African nation who thinks they stand a chance physically, mentally and tactically have always been Morocco. I have always underrated them but they have proven me wrong every time. Next up will be against Canada, most definitely Moroccans tear them apart.

Morocco have really caught everyons eye this time. They are physically very strong. Team is organized and mentally tough. I was very surprised to see their victory against Netherlands. Senegal and Ivory Coast showed good potential but they lost their nerve at crucial moments of match.

Several African team have had to pay the price this time due to lack of concentration and mental lapses. If Morocco can maintain this level against Canada then they will go far this time too.

[GiftedMAN]

Interesting things happening at the World Cup. Looks like a script writing but it’s not. Three African teams playing against Europeans teams all had their hearts broken at the 86 minute and by the number 9 of the opponent team.

Two of the teams DR Congo and Senegal were leading up until that moment and then everything shattered after that, it’s like the juju they say Africans are using turned against them.

Football have a way of giving us interesting and mind blowing stories.

Of all the three round of 32 fixtures you posted, I think the one with the most shocking result is the Senegal Vs Belgium game. Yes we know that European teams on most occasions get the better of their Africa counterparts but we've also seen African teams win important games in the FIFA World Cup against European nations, that was what many of us thought was gonna happen when Senegal scored the second goal against Belgium
The result of that game was very disappointing to me and to think that they conceded two goals in the final 5 minutes of normal time makes it even more painful to talk about.

[Livingleged]

All the African teams just keep writing the same script at this round of 32. They lead by a goal at halftime like they will hold it till the final whistle only to bottle the lead at the second hand and get eliminated! Honestly i don’t know who to blame, because this is not just about one country, it happened to the DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and more that I can’t even remember.
Now Egypt are also trying to do the same. let see if it’s going to be the same script that will be written. at this moment the only African country that seems to be a serious deal is the Morocco and every other country is just a joke.

[abaeze]

The situation is bad for the African nations in the knockout stage. We are still in the beginning of it and we have more than half of them being disqualified. By the end of the group of 32, only Morocco will left?
Egypt will face Australia. That's not a hard match and has nothing to do with Morocco vs Netherlands for example. Same goes for Ghana, their opponent, Colombia, isn't the hardest one among the list.
Bookies are supporting Egypt and Colombia. Ghana odds are +8..

Technically, we're not on the same level with the European teams. It's not as if we can not beat them, we can beat them actually but our problem is very obvious. We normally start strong but lack the energy to finish the game and it seems they have already study that part of us. Reasom why Africa countries usually score first to take the lead and the opponent come from behind to beat us.

Imagine leading and dominating only to concede and get knocked out in the 86 minutes. That's what happened to three of our African brothers in this tournament. This is not longer about luck, it's our pattern and the opponent already know about it. The Belgium coach confirmed it after their match. He said they were wary of early pressure but they know it'll fade out before final whistle. Africa countries should fix their game management especially how to complete the finish in the final third.

You have touched on the main problem. I think this is because our squad is not deep enough. That is why many strong European teams have players of equal quality on the bench and can continue playing at the same pace until the end and after 60-70 minutes they can change the pace of the match by bringing in new players but we have a problem in this regard. In the case of many African teams, this advantage is comparatively less. In this World Cup, we have played against teams that are much stronger than our teams. But it is also true that with the right strategy, discipline and fitness, we can compete and win with any team in the world.

[Spaceman1000$]

The situation is bad for the African nations in the knockout stage. We are still in the beginning of it and we have more than half of them being disqualified. By the end of the group of 32, only Morocco will left?
Egypt will face Australia. That's not a hard match and has nothing to do with Morocco vs Netherlands for example. Same goes for Ghana, their opponent, Colombia, isn't the hardest one among the list.
Bookies are supporting Egypt and Colombia. Ghana odds are +8..

Technically, we're not on the same level with the European teams. It's not as if we can not beat them, we can beat them actually but our problem is very obvious. We normally start strong but lack the energy to finish the game and it seems they have already study that part of us. Reasom why Africa countries usually score first to take the lead and the opponent come from behind to beat us.

Imagine leading and dominating only to concede and get knocked out in the 86 minutes. That's what happened to three of our African brothers in this tournament. This is not longer about luck, it's our pattern and the opponent already know about it. The Belgium coach confirmed it after their match. He said they were wary of early pressure but they know it'll fade out before final whistle. Africa countries should fix their game management especially how to complete the finish in the final third.

Your analysis actually shows the fact that you are following up with the activities of the World Cup especially when it concerns with some of these African teams, Egypt is currently playing Colombia and they are playing 1-1, it is additional time already, That is they are to play extra 15-15 minutes, if at the end of the day the game goes in favor of Colombia, I wouldn't really blame Egypt so much because they were able to endure and hold their defense up on till the final penalty, and penalties is game of luck as anything can happen. But if the game had ended in 2-1 during regular time of play, I would have easily categorized Egypt to be among these African countries that have just gone out of the knockout stage.