What is wrong with Africa teams?

[Tetu100]

One of the reasons I will attribute to this after watching some of these matches is fear, fear of losing in the game and that creates a lot more pressure for them and they racially concede goal because of that.

I agree with you. Fear is actually part of what is causing this whole thing we are currently experiencing at the world cup. However Africans teams should try and kill that fear in them otherwise that is how they  will keep on losing all their matches till they will finally push us out.  We (African teams)  shouldn't always underestimate ourself when on the field, we too are great continent that even the white respect so much. However, if only we can overcome fear and start seeing ourselves as somebody everything will be OK.

[CryptoYar]

Biggest example of this happening was Egypt vs Argentina fallout, 78 minutes in 2-0 lead should be enough to see game out at any level. Giving up 3 in the last 20 minutes suggests many things are wrong at once. Probably most important numbers in each of these African collapses are fitness and depth. Many African players are at European clubs where they do not always have regular playing opportunity, and in tournament football, one needs another type of stamina than playing rarely in club. But opposition ramp the game up in last 15 minutes and legs werent there. Another factor that has been seen is lack of defensive organization when needed. In low blocks African sides defend well but in face of high quality opponents, they will put much of players forward and setup will collapse. In most of these, timing of substitutions has not appeared helpful. Having some new legs early to keep lead would make much of difference instead of coming in late and game going down the drain.

[Oluwa-btc]

What do you think?

It is obviously mentality from these African nations. They also lose a bit of their game plans and structure towards the end of the game. We saw with Senegalese against Belgium and also Ivory Coast against Norway

The only African nation with a difference in mentality are the Moroccans. From.the start of this tournament, they have always approached every game the right way with the same hopes of beating their opponents.  Mentality is the major factor I'd say in general.

[SportbetOne]

People always try to find some deep psychological reason for this but tbh it mostly just comes down to squad depth. The stats for African teams at the world cup are pretty rough historically anyway. Late game collapses aren't a curse or a mental block, it is just what happens when tired legs hit the pitch.
Any sharp live bettor knows about this edge. When Egypt went up 2-0 on Argentina the smart money didn't panic at all. Most African teams have a really solid starting 11 but their bench just cant compete with the heavy hitters. Big teams just bring on fresh Champions League level guys in the 70th minute to run at a tired defense. They lose their shape and the favorites just exploit the gaps.
Out of curiosity did anyone happen to catch what Argentina's live odds were to win in 90 mins after going down 2-0? I bet the value was crazy.

[Somegory]

African teams in this knockout stage of the world cup have not played to expected end after early lead up to second half, why?

So what reason could you attribute to this abysmal failure that cut across these teams. Senegal lost to Belgium after 2 goals up, Dr Congo had same issue.

Today, Egypt led Argentina up to 78 minutes of the second half by 2 goals and conceded 3 goals within 20 minutes, this is appalling. Although, this is the intrigues in the game but it has become almost like a routine for African teams.

A simple take, so what do we think is the problem?

Could it be lack of energy to conclude their winning?

Could it be defensive errors?

Could it be over confidence?

Could it be wrong substitute or no substitute / coaching crew mistake?

Could it be lack of focus from players and coaching crew?

What do you think?

This got me cracking up so loud, hahahaha

Some days ago everyone was saying Africa teams are outperforming others, like they are some kind of beast in this world cup and today they are already complaining?

Have we forgotten that this is mere sport where trying their best is all they have? Anyone can win regardless of the country they are from and anyone can also lose, it doesn't matter that European country it Africa must take a lead.

What I did found out is how powerful those referees are, they are the ones making the big calls and it felt like manipulation to me, I'm sure many people also noticed this, something is really wrong somewhere.

[The Founding Titan]

African teams in this knockout stage of the world cup have not played to expected end after early lead up to second half, why?

So what reason could you attribute to this abysmal failure that cut across these teams. Senegal lost to Belgium after 2 goals up, Dr Congo had same issue.

Today, Egypt led Argentina up to 78 minutes of the second half by 2 goals and conceded 3 goals within 20 minutes, this is appalling. Although, this is the intrigues in the game but it has become almost like a routine for African teams.

-snip-

I would simply argue that this is football...

A very solid argument, this is football, we all should learn to expect the unexpected with football, Naturally Argentina's win against Egypt will be bound to raise alot of questions seeing as how Egypt was clearly leading with 2 goals deep into the second half and Argentina scoring 3 goals in such a shot period of time, it all seems unlikely to happen but this wouldn't be the first time thing like this have happened in football and it most definitely won't be the last.

[Nrcewker]

i think the final minutes of the world cup are a phase where experience really comes into play. teams like argentina, england, and brazil have played in this tournament countless times and have an advantage over newer, developing teams that could be considered rookies. even if they manage to maintain just a little composure as the match nears its end, they can capitalize on the slightest mistake by their opponent to create an opportunity.

This is what distinguishes a champion team from an average team. A champion team should be equipped not only with talent but also with experience. No doubt, all the players in the tournament are amazing, but when they play in international events, nervousness starts to affect them.

They play well in the first half because the pressure is lower. However, in the final minutes, the pressure is much higher, and the African team lacks experienced players who can perform in clutch moments. After watching a few matches, I noticed this as well.

But don’t worry. Next year, they will play better in the upcoming matches.

[Die_empty]

What do you think?

It is obviously mentality from these African nations. They also lose a bit of their game plans and structure towards the end of the game. We saw with Senegalese against Belgium and also Ivory Coast against Norway

The only African nation with a difference in mentality are the Moroccans. From.the start of this tournament, they have always approached every game the right way with the same hopes of beating their opponents.  Mentality is the major factor I'd say in general.

This sudden collapse towards the end of the games could be caused by more than one factor. African coaches are not tactically sound. In the game between Senegal and Belgium, coach Pape Thiaw made a mistake by taking out almost all the midfielders when his side was two goals up. The players introduced would have to adjust before they join the rhythm of the game. Coaches need to get advanced knowledge on modern-day football instead of holding firm to outdated styles.

African sides also easily lose concentration when they concede goals. Most of these teams were not able to score more goals after when opponents tried to level up. Lastly, they seem to relax and don't go for more goals after scoring two or so. Egypt, Senegal, or DR Congo would have taken the game above the reach of their opponents if they had scored more.

[Frankolala]

The problem is that these Africa teams losses focus after they see that their opponents has the chance of getting an equalizer of which that's when they're supposed to tighten their defense and put in more effort in all angles to make sure that they stay focus and win the game. Only Cabo Verde has fought a good fight because they didn't take the lead. Give Cabo Verde 2-0 lead, I don't think that any strong team will get an equalizer or win the game.

[Oshio-man]

To me, I think Africa team are trying in terms of football and other competitions because Africa has raised players that are doing well in some big big competition, and if you look at some Africa teams in this FIFA world cup competition you will know that some of their opponent defeated them by luck , if you watch yesterday match the way Egypt was leading the match 0-2 before Argentina struggled to score one goal that weaken Egypt to reduced strength completely, show that Africa still have talented clubs just that they don't have strength to play long to finish well.

[reagansimms]

Mistake after mistake made by players from African teams was so crucial during the match that it caused them to be eliminated from the big tournament. Loss of focus when already in the lead and poor match management are often the reasons why African teams' leads collapse late in the match, as experienced by Senegal, Congo and Egypt. Most of the failures of African teams are due to psychological pressure and controversial refereeing decisions.

According to my observations in several matches, African teams often lose concentration in crucial minutes and this is exacerbated by a failure to maintain a defensive line, so that the tactical structure at the end of the second half allows the opponent to make a comeback. Some coaches also make mistakes in making substitutions to dampen the opponent's momentum, being late in anticipating when the opponent tries to score a goal makes the situation worse because the players start to be less disciplined in controlling the tempo of the game and often run out of energy or panic when the opponent increases the intensity of the attack.

In fact, Egypt could have easily won against Argentina. When they were leading 2-0, the coach should have brought in some defenders and changed the playing pattern to be more relaxed and focused on defense. I think, if Mourinho had been the coach of Egypt, he would have already implemented the parking the bus tactic when his team was leading 2-0.

[swogerino]

Egypt played very well against Argentina and I think they had 2 symptoms that made them go wrong in the final stage of the game. First by Ziko exiting the game made a huge difference in the performance of the team and secondly they lacked focus or thought prematurely that they were already qualified, something big teams should never afford to do. To add to these main factors also the referee had his own sins as he clearly favored the other team and we had a rightly so very angry Egypt coach in the press conference.

[KTChampions]

Why is this thread only about African teams?  
Let me remind you: one African team, one South American team and six European teams will participate in the quarter-finals. The most convincing play and the biggest surprises (Norway) are demonstrated by the European teams, total dominance. African teams have been unsuccessful in major stages, but this also applies to all other teams, including those from North and South America.

[Achalugo BTC]

I agree with you. Fear is actually part of what is causing this whole thing we are currently experiencing at the world cup. However Africans teams should try and kill that fear in them otherwise that is how they  will keep on losing all their matches till they will finally push us out.  We (African teams)  shouldn't always underestimate ourself when on the field, we too are great continent that even the white respect so much. However, if only we can overcome fear and start seeing ourselves as somebody everything will be OK.

That's very right, fear is one of the fastest ways that can bring one down easily. Fear doesn't just occur without one giving room to it, as it might be cause through mistakes or loss, and of course mistakes can happen when they are playing in the pitch, as no one is above mistake but that doesn't mean they have to feel bad about it or allow it to discourage them, like you said, if they are ready to overcome fear and keep the energy burning, they can still get to finals and that will happen when they stop underestimating themselves and kill the fear in them.

[asriloni]

As far as i have been watching all of african nations in WC. What i can say they over confidence with their attack, and they forgot how to defense. Many of them were ended with the lost, thought they have played fully defensive. So it clears if they're not good enough when defending.

The best example is that DR Congo vs England, Cape Verde vs Argentina, and Senegal vs Belgium. Those african clubs could scored, but they could not defense, though they played low block. So that's it.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

I think all this is within the expectations that many had before the World Cup started. No African team was favourites and only Morocco and, with many doubts, Egypt and Senegal, started with some chance of winning. And by some chance I don't mean with good odds, but it would have been a rarity.

This means you never knew about Cape Verde which gave Argentina the toughest time in this whole tournament so far. I had more faith in Cape Verde to go far more than Egypt, but it is sad the were knocked out.

The problem with African teams is bad fitness and lack of endurance to keep up active play until full time. If you watch the matches, you'll se a common pattern of losing matches in them, they play well in first half and up to 75 minutes in second half after which they get exhausted and the opponents with more endurance steals the show. The greatest limitation is their fitness, they can barely go on with full force until the final whistle

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Well they tried their best, you can say that their best was not enough but it's not that easy, in my opinion, despite them not winning, they still played very well, I have these believe that in this FIFA World Cup, teams don't usually have lack of confidence because they know it would be an honour to win the cup, so they usually do their best and train as much as required. I don't think anything is wrong with the teams, I will just say it's their faith.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

Today, Egypt led Argentina up to 78 minutes of the second half by 2 goals and conceded 3 goals within 20 minutes, this is appalling. Although, this is the intrigues in the game but it has become almost like a routine for African teams.

A simple take, so what do we think is the problem?

Could it be lack of energy to conclude their winning?

Could it be defensive errors?

Could it be over confidence?

Could it be wrong substitute or no substitute / coaching crew mistake?

Could it be lack of focus from players and coaching crew?

What do you think?

I am just as confused as you are bro, infact, since yesterday after that match between Argentina and Egypt was played, I've not been myself, I've been sad all through because of the outcome of that match.
I was having this very same argument with a friend of mine yesternight over this and his opinion was that that match was soft rigged, what ever he meant by soft-rigged, I do not know, but what I understand he was saying was that the game was rigged that Argentina must win...
Some one else said what he meant by "soft-rigged" is that the Argentina team must have meant the Egyptians players back door and stroke deal that will allow Argentina win the match at a set time for both entertainment and whatever, fifa doesn't have to be involved or even know about this..

Since this was explained to me, I've been forcing myself not to believe it's true because I from the way every thing happened, the allegation appears true, how can a team leading by two goals (would have been 3 goals of one goal was not canceled) up to almost the 80th minutes of a match end up conceding 3 goals in less than 20 minutes, something definitely is not right somewhere.

[bitLeap]

What do you think?

While African teams may not have impressed many fans with their results, we can see positive progress year after year. While African national teams weren't as good as they are now, they've continued to progress, develop, and demonstrate exceptional quality. It's not all instantaneous, and they're not instant contenders. For example Morocco, the African national team has demonstrated progress from the last World Cup to the current one. I think African countries should take Morocco as an example to emulate, starting from the way they manage their teams, coaches, staff, and players.

[Sammye3]

I would conclude that the major problem is the mentality and that has cost them a lot at the end. Popular result like the Senegal vs Belgium game and now the Egypt vs Argentina game. We could all agree that Belgium and Argentina had a better team compared to the African teams but both managed to secure a two goals lead till the 80' minute and both lost at the end.

Who would have thought that the game would turn out like that at such hour? Maybe to the African teams, they would have concluded that the game is won already and felt a bit relaxed towards the end of the game. These African teams really surprised many with their performance though the celebration was cut short.

Morroco remains the only surviving African country in the Worl Cup now. Would they see the final?