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

[Alonso_]

I'm shocked to read that Ivory coast now has a better team than France, like wtf. On a good day, if France catch Ivory coast, it's going to be a bad day for them because France will score countless number of goals against them.

I was surprised to read this post and this made me to check the match and I didn't believed what I saw. Ivory Coast beat France 2-1. Let's remove the mindset that this a friendlies matches but there is strong message that has been passed. If Ivory Coast beat France in this pre world cup friendlies matches, they can still be at therm in the main tournament. Yes because if you are saying France will beat them black and blue, Ivory Coast will double their performance in the tournament and do well. Though let see what will happen in the WC.

I also got surprised when I saw this, but I don't know maybe all these are happening because the already knew it was only just a friendly match, but I don't expect it still yet, Ivory Coast is nowhere to be found where France is, I'm sure maybe France does not take this match serious or use their first 11, but if you're going to look at it as well in terms of football games, anything is born to happen, that Ivory Coast is not that good yesterday does not mean they can't do better today, it's only a survival of the fittest as long as they are able to get along with their coordination and play well to deserve a winning.

I’m completely sure that if France meets Ivory Coast in a competition match in this World Cup, France will beat them comfortably, because France never took that game seriously, they’ve been careful for themselves, and there is no way I will imagine that Ivory Coast will defeat France in a very competitive game, anyways I’m not impressed with the game, it was a very terrible game, both teams didn’t take it serious in the game, which is why the game ended the way it did, anyways that is just a friendly game and it ended the way it was supposed to have ended in a friendly game.

[Jegileman]

You are correct. I don’t even understand the sense in all of these friendly matches if they are testing their readiness why not use your team A. The second team you are using to play this friendly games, most of them will not even play in the World Cup matches.
Anyways, those who will benefit from this the gamblers who will bet on these games and catch out before the main tournament will begin.

No team wants to use their main players to play in the friendly and then go on injury, it’ll really not help them in the competition because some players position are so paramount to the success of the team, so they dare not gamble them to play in the World Cup friendly games. Every team knows their readiness and sometimes friendly matches does not really show the exact readiness and action the team will have during the competition, they just playing to warm up their players in preparation for the main event. This is the World Cup and we expect the best of fun in this competition.

[Livingleged]

No team wants to use their main players to play in the friendly and then go on injury, it’ll really not help them in the competition because some players position are so paramount to the success of the team, so they dare not gamble them to play in the World Cup friendly games. Every team knows their readiness and sometimes friendly matches does not really show the exact readiness and action the team will have during the competition, they just playing to warm up their players in preparation for the main event. This is the World Cup and we expect the best of fun in this competition.

It’s always the African teams that think this way and that why the fail to put up a great performance in the main tournament, now if you don't try your best players how will dey blend with each other  since all of them are just come from their respective league. Just the training  session alone aren't enough to give the coach  idea about who's doing  better currently. so I feel not testing  your player  because  of fear of injury  is just a retarded  idea that needs to be abandoned. Injuries  will always be there but it can also be avoided  not just by not player them In the friendlies  because  I'm sure the friendly  matches  were set to prepare  teams ahead of the big tournament.

[Mayor of ogba]

I’m completely sure that if France meets Ivory Coast in a competition match in this World Cup, France will beat them comfortably, because France never took that game seriously, they’ve been careful for themselves, and there is no way I will imagine that Ivory Coast will defeat France in a very competitive game, anyways I’m not impressed with the game, it was a very terrible game, both teams didn’t take it serious in the game, which is why the game ended the way it did, anyways that is just a friendly game and it ended the way it was supposed to have ended in a friendly game.

I'm not surprised with your statement that France never took their match against Ivory Coast seriously, because if African team defeat European team in a friendly match Africans like you always say that African team only defeat European team because European team didn't take the match seriously, well you are entitle to your opinion, and I'm not against it but I just want to let you know that the same way France never took the match seriously that's how Ivory Coast never took the match seriously too. if Tunisia can defeat France in the 2022 World Cup Ivory Coast could also beat France if they meet in the World cup.

[Stable090]

I also got surprised when I saw this, but I don't know maybe all these are happening because the already knew it was only just a friendly match,

It’s a friendly match, and you don’t expect any country to take the match serious, to me it’s just like a training, and no player will want to use themselves anyhow in the match. If any player ends up playing rough, and getting injured, he will be missing the World Cup. No player will want to get injured in a friendly match, that’s why they are always so careful in matches like this, and they don’t take it serious.

Some teams  don’t even play the friendly match with their main squad, they always go in with their second team because they don’t want anything that’s going to affect their main player’s. Am not surprised that France lost, it’s just a friendly match.

[Lida93]

That was a friendly game and France is using such games to test the readiness of their squad , I will not take this types of games seriously this is not the true reflection of the strength of these two teams. We all know France and the type of players that plays for the France national team. France used a very weak team and was majorly experimenting to see how effective their team can feature going into the world cup.

You are correct. I don’t even understand the sense in all of these friendly matches if they are testing their readiness why not use your team A. The second team you are using to play this friendly games, most of them will not even play in the World Cup matches.
Anyways, those who will benefit from this the gamblers who will bet on these games and catch out before the main tournament will begin.

You wouldn't want to risk your key players to a friendly game that has no reward or trophy you're battling for but just to keep your team warm and woke for the main event. Let say your key players were fixtured in the game and they got a serious injury that should last for a month or so, that's when the tournament must have being over. All these unpredictable occurrence are why coaches would not want to play their full first team in this friendlies. Probably gamblers could take advantage of it.

[Abdulzuruku01]

I’m completely sure that if France meets Ivory Coast in a competition match in this World Cup, France will beat them comfortably, because France never took that game seriously, they’ve been careful for themselves, and there is no way I will imagine that Ivory Coast will defeat France in a very competitive game, anyways I’m not impressed with the game, it was a very terrible game, both teams didn’t take it serious in the game, which is why the game ended the way it did, anyways that is just a friendly game and it ended the way it was supposed to have ended in a friendly game.

Honestly I agreed with you, if it's an important competition I don't think Ivory coast will defeat France, because if the match is that serious France will do their best to recover and beat them. Seriously Ivory Coast really tried for the victory.
Because Since 2005 they have faced France four times, France beat them twice, there was one draw and luckily Ivory coast was lucky to also have victory over France for the first time ever in history. In my opinion, I considered this as great achievement for Ivory coast because this victory will surely motivate other African continent to compete strongly against non African countries.

[DYOR+BTC]

I also got surprised when I saw this, but I don't know maybe all these are happening because the already knew it was only just a friendly match,

It’s a friendly match, and you don’t expect any country to take the match serious, to me it’s just like a training, and no player will want to use themselves anyhow in the match. If any player ends up playing rough, and getting injured, he will be missing the World Cup. No player will want to get injured in a friendly match, that’s why they are always so careful in matches like this, and they don’t take it serious.

Some teams  don’t even play the friendly match with their main squad, they always go in with their second team because they don’t want anything that’s going to affect their main player’s. Am not surprised that France lost, it’s just a friendly match.

When games are played not for a specific reason apart from just testing players performance you will see most players reduce consistency not because they are not good but they want a save game. In the last concluded friendly some unimaginable occurrence took place but that does not mean the teams involved will not do better when the long awaiting tournament comes, especially the big teams that will are waiting to compete for that trophy.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I also got surprised when I saw this, but I don't know maybe all these are happening because the already knew it was only just a friendly match,

It’s a friendly match, and you don’t expect any country to take the match serious, to me it’s just like a training, and no player will want to use themselves anyhow in the match. If any player ends up playing rough, and getting injured, he will be missing the World Cup. No player will want to get injured in a friendly match, that’s why they are always so careful in matches like this, and they don’t take it serious.

Some teams  don’t even play the friendly match with their main squad, they always go in with their second team because they don’t want anything that’s going to affect their main player’s. Am not surprised that France lost, it’s just a friendly match.

When games are played not for a specific reason apart from just testing players performance you will see most players reduce consistency not because they are not good but they want a save game. In the last concluded friendly some unimaginable occurrence took place but that does not mean the teams involved will not do better when the long awaiting tournament comes, especially the big teams that will are waiting to compete for that trophy.

You are absolutely right and I agree, football is a game of sense even though skill matters good as well, it is actually another level of good skill for players to know when to play with all their might and power to ensure that they win the match...

But when it comes to friendly matches where both team has nothing to either win or loss, players tend to relax a bit, they play more calmly and gentle, avoiding whatever might lead to injury and so On. My opinion here is based on some friendly matches I've watched before, a team that plays very aggressively turns around to play more calmly simply because its a free match organised for players to simply train and so on..

[Slow death]

I'm not surprised with your statement that France never took their match against Ivory Coast seriously, because if African team defeat European team in a friendly match Africans like you always say that African team only defeat European team because European team didn't take the match seriously, well you are entitle to your opinion, and I'm not against it but I just want to let you know that the same way France never took the match seriously that's how Ivory Coast never took the match seriously too. if Tunisia can defeat France in the 2022 World Cup Ivory Coast could also beat France if they meet in the World cup.

I am African and honestly this isn't about belittling African teams, it's about looking at the events of the game. The French coach wasn't taking the game seriously. Look at what happened the minute after France scored and you'll understand everything. Clearly, if France had played seriously, they would have won easily, but that doesn't mean France can't lose against an African team. We have to look at things realistically. Neither you nor any African believes that any African team will win the World Cup.

[Stepstowealth]

I'm not surprised with your statement that France never took their match against Ivory Coast seriously, because if African team defeat European team in a friendly match Africans like you always say that African team only defeat European team because European team didn't take the match seriously, well you are entitle to your opinion, and I'm not against it but I just want to let you know that the same way France never took the match seriously that's how Ivory Coast never took the match seriously too. if Tunisia can defeat France in the 2022 World Cup Ivory Coast could also beat France if they meet in the World cup.

I am African and honestly this isn't about belittling African teams, it's about looking at the events of the game. The French coach wasn't taking the game seriously. Look at what happened the minute after France scored and you'll understand everything. Clearly, if France had played seriously, they would have won easily, but that doesn't mean France can't lose against an African team. We have to look at things realistically. Neither you nor any African believes that any African team will win the World Cup.

The french team is just another African because of the number of black players that they have. I don't think they played to their full strength in that game because they know that that is a game that they can easily win by putting in effort and for Ivory Coast on the other hand they defended how best they could ensuring they did not get injured or conceded many goals that will demoralize them.
I think African teams can do a shocking performance in the world cup and even go maybe all the way to the finals for the first time in history, It could be Ivory Coast because they also have talented players in their squad players who could be electric and who could create a difference.

[Livingleged]

~snip
Honestly I agreed with you, if it's an important competition I don't think Ivory coast will defeat France,

It's also possible  for the ivory  coast  to beat the best country  in that tournament, the are one of the best in Africa  and the play  really  well I still  think you should rate them higher  than you do now. France  are not that special  to me right now, olthey do have some great players but it's still very  possible  that country  team like the ivory  coast could pull up a surprising  performance  against  them at the biggest  level. Did you remember  the match between  Saudi  Arabia  and Argentina I guess  that should be in the last world cup. nobody  could have thought  it will end that way Saudi  Arabia stealing away  the 2-1 win over the great  Argentina  team. In football  just expected  the unexpected everything  is possible.

[Agbamoni]

Bullshit!!

He flopped?! He was still in his bag but didn't get the goals coming and that's what you call flop?! You talk as if he will never win the Premier League Competition,  it is funny of you to downgrade this particular Manchester United side, your only luck was that Carrick came in late as the coach of Manchester United.
No, you Arsenal delusional fans should rather be humbled  
He is a good player, if all goes well for Manchester United we could win the Premier League this coming season or the next!

Action speaks louder than words. Manchester United are the most delusional fans because there is always one excuse or the other for their failures, but that's by the way, though. Arsenal has been showing consistency for the last 4 years, they have shown action, and it has paid them. I would love to see your team try to win the Prem next season. Maybe Michael Carrick has given you all hope, and you think it is that easy.

And to be clear, that mf flopped 

[Livingleged]

Did you watch the match between the super Eagles of Nigeria my darling team against the Polish?
Do you know that NFF and Finidi George were the problems of the national team. If we played the way we did against the Poles in Warsaw, honestly there is no way Nigeria couldn't ve gone to world cup and make history.
Thus is so painful  that my dear country  is missing  out on this  tournament  again just like the last one and we claim  to be the giant  of Africa  but always  fail to prove  that all the time, This has to change.

[knowngunman]

It’s always the African teams that think this way and that why the fail to put up a great performance in the main tournament, now if you don't try your best players how will dey blend with each other  since all of them are just come from their respective league. Just the training  session alone aren't enough to give the coach  idea about who's doing  better currently. so I feel not testing  your player  because  of fear of injury  is just a retarded  idea that needs to be abandoned. Injuries  will always be there but it can also be avoided  not just by not player them In the friendlies  because  I'm sure the friendly  matches  were set to prepare  teams ahead of the big tournament.

Seriously, citing injuries as an excuse for not playing their main players during the friendlies is a wacky idea. As far as I know, injury can happen at any time even during their own training. Fatigue would have been a better excuse than injuries but even that should not stop the coach from fielding the key players in the ongoing friendlies. Majority of the players are randomly selected from different leagues and they are barely familiar with each other playing patterns. Training is not enough to make them familiar but the ongoing friendly is an opportunity like real tournaments for players to prepare themselves ahead of the real tournament and for the coaches to test their formation too.

[Agbe]

Did you watch the match between the super Eagles of Nigeria my darling team against the Polish?
Do you know that NFF and Finidi George were the problems of the national team. If we played the way we did against the Poles in Warsaw, honestly there is no way Nigeria couldn't ve gone to world cup and make history.
Thus is so painful  that my dear country  is missing  out on this  tournament  again just like the last one and we claim  to be the giant  of Africa  but always  fail to prove  that all the time, This has to change.

After the last two matches of the World Cup qualifiers, we came to understand that, Nigeria Super Eagles problem was the coach and not the players. From the recent matches, the friendlies and others, Super Eagles has not loss any match, either they win or drew. And many countries which qualified in the World Cup are there to increase the number and not to do anything good. As of now in the African Nations ranking in the FIFA World Cup from the international friendlies. Morocco is leading the top and seconded by Senegal and Ghana is the last at the bottom.

[Different patterns]

Did you watch the match between the super Eagles of Nigeria my darling team against the Polish?
Do you know that NFF and Finidi George were the problems of the national team. If we played the way we did against the Poles in Warsaw, honestly there is no way Nigeria couldn't ve gone to world cup and make history.
Thus is so painful  that my dear country  is missing  out on this  tournament  again just like the last one and we claim  to be the giant  of Africa  but always  fail to prove  that all the time, This has to change.

After the last two matches of the World Cup qualifiers, we came to understand that, Nigeria Super Eagles problem was the coach and not the players. From the recent matches, the friendlies and others, Super Eagles has not loss any match, either they win or drew. And many countries which qualified in the World Cup are there to increase the number and not to do anything good. As of now in the African Nations ranking in the FIFA World Cup from the international friendlies. Morocco is leading the top and seconded by Senegal and Ghana is the last at the bottom.

The recent performances of the super eagles have made the fans to have confidence in them and hope to win consistently in the future, recently the team have been more organised and very difficult to beat and we can say that the team is really improving because football is now about good coaching, quality players and team chemistry together with proper management. What we need to know is that Nigeria has a lot of talents, they have quality players competing in top leagues around the world, the challenge has always been to manage them well and I believe this current system is really helping the team. In the world cup, many teams may appear as the underdogs but football can happen and the unexpected begins to happen to make the biggest stories in the tournament. Morocco and Senegal have set high standards in recent years, Nigeria would have been part of them but they need to improve and maintain consistency for now.