Let's Learn More About The African Teams

[cpwilson80]

Confession time: I know next to nothing about the African teams in the World Cup.

I know Tunisia has been there the past few times (and finished last in a weak group in '02), the other four countries will play in their first World Cup, and I know of Eissen and Drogba, but that's about it. Only Senegal was the only African team that advanced in '02...should we expect the same, or will this group surprise?

There's a good chance we'll be drawn with one of these teams, and I'd rather have a somewhat informed opinion (rather than wild speculation.) Please add anything you know about the African teams, from players to watch to preferred style of play.

Here are the current FIFA rankings for the African teams.

Angola: 62
Ivory Coast: 41
Ghana: 50
Togo: 56
Tunisia: 28

[Adam Zebrowski]

didier drogba....usa wants no part of him...

onyewu will get very rich if he can handle him!!

[FirstStar]

Learn more about the African teams??? Good luck. Everyone will be scratching their heads trying to figure them out.

[ghazi]

lol - great question and i'd love some answers, but i dont think Cameroon or Nigeria or Senegal learned enough about them.

I usually root for Nigeria after the US, so i'll adopt one of these teams as my second baby.

. . anyone seen their jerseys? I think its time to do some shopping.

[galaxy1320]

67.5% chance that we have to play and African team. Great thread!

[Elliott]

Actually 74%

can't I get a little love for this work?
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275046&page=7&pp=15

[Shackleton]

Check out http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/2006/caf.html On the left are links to blow by blow accounts of the African WC Qualifying campaign, including lots of info about lineups, key players, formations, style of play, etc.

[sidefootsitter]

I know an Angolan was once the top scorer at the World Cup.

[cpwilson80]

Check out http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/2006/caf.html On the left are links to blow by blow accounts of the African WC Qualifying campaign, including lots of info about lineups, key players, formations, style of play, etc.

That's an awesome find...the Oct 8 wrap had tons of good info.

[twenty]

Ok, I'll try to give some info. I don't really know anything about them either, so this is for those who know absolutely nothing. Key players that I list are just the ones I've heard of, so it's probably not all inclusive. Also I've only seen them for club and not country, so my knowledge is very limited.

Togo:
beat Senegal 3-1 at home in qualifying and tied them 2-2 in Senegal

key players: Emmanuel Adebayor of Monaco is a forward. He had 8 goals in the final round of qualifying, leading the team by a wide margin. I think he's like 6'3 with speed comparable to Cherundolo. He is like a faster, less skilled Ibrahimavic. He'd probably be a lock to start for us.

Ghana:
beat South Africa 3-0 at home in qualifying and then beat them 2-0 in SA.

key players: Ok, I guess you've got to start with Michael Essien, which most know from Chelsea some from Lyon. He is a 2-way center midfield player. He's got speed on par with Donovan, can tackle, mark, and is equally comfortable going forward. He's very powerful and physically dominating. He even makes runs off the ball into space. Some would describe him as world class.

Steven Appiah will probably be paired with Essien in CM. Appiah was a fixture for Juve last year, but hasn't played much this year since they got Viera. (I don't think I've seen him this year. He may be injured or may not even still be with Juve.) I never paid much attention to him. He's just a basic CM. He does his job and rarely gets mention for better of for worse.

Sammy Kuffor of Bayern Munich is a defender. Like, Appiah I've seen him play many times, but never really notice him that much, which I guess is good. He's also had some issues with the coach or something, which kept him out of some matches, I think.

Ivory Coast:
lost to Cameroon twice in qualifying, 2-0 in Cameroon and 3-2 at home. They were very lucky to qualify after losing to Cameroon at home. They were saved by Egypt, who tied Cameroon in Cameroon in the last set of games to send IC through. (I only know this, because one of my friends is from IC and he kept reminding me of how lucky they were.)

key players: Most have heard of Chelsea's Didier Drogba. He's a true #9. He's got great speed and is very strong. His game is all about physical domination with speed and strength. His skill is a bit questionable though. He's good, but certainly not on par with guys like Sheva or Ronaldo like some suggest. He won't beat you with creativity. He's very direct. He led the team with 9 goals in the final round of WCQs.

Next is Kolo Toure of Arsenal. He is a CB and is about as athletic as anybody. He can dribble like a winger and has a great outside shot.

Bonaventure Kalou of PSG is basically a "hole" player. I'm guessing you'll see him paired with Drogba up top, which will be a real handful if their midfield is anywhere near decent. Kalous is fast and creative with the ball at his feet. He is probably the main creative force and the guy you have to stop. He has lots of subtlety and can pass well. He can also play wing, but it's not his best position.

Arouna Kone of PSV is supposed to be good, but I've never seen him play. I think he's either a striker or a winger.

Angola:
beat Nigeria 1-0 at home and tied them 1-1 in Nigeria

key players: Your guess is as good as mine.

Tunisia:
tied Morocco 1-1 in Morocco and 2-2 at home

key players: Nafti of Birmingham City (never paid him any attention)

Jahidi of Bolton (never paid him much attention)

Hatem Trabelsi of Ajax (never seen him)

Maybe some Premiership fans and Ajax fans can help out here. :o

Ok, that's all I got on all five teams, so now if you knew nothing (and were able to read the whole post without falling asleep), you at least know something.

[thecheat48]

Togo: Know very little about them.

Ghana: African soccer power house for years, has won multiple African Nation Cups but never qualified for the WC. Nicknamed the Black Stars. If I was putting $ on a team to surprise folks, it would be the Black Stars.

Ivory Coast: Gaining in rep and has some quality players. Great attacking players and style from the highlights I've seen.

Angola: The true minnows, and the most unexpected in the WC. Not much of a football rep, thus I know little about their playing style etc.

Tunisia: Reigning ANC champs, always a good side. From what I've seen, a more defensive style of football.

[Martin Fischer]

Ok, I'll try to give some info. I ...
Togo:
key players: Emmanuel Adebayor of Monaco is a forward. He had 8 goals in the final round of qualifying, leading the team by a wide margin. I think he's like 6'3 with speed comparable to Cherundolo. He is like a faster, less skilled Ibrahimavic. He'd probably be a lock to start for us.

Currently, a sometimes starter for Monaco with 11 league appearances and 1 goal. Despite being only 21, he has 4 full years in the French League, averaging 8 goals a year.

Ghana:
...Steven Appiah will probably be paired with Essien in CM. Appiah was a fixture for Juve last year, but hasn't played much this year since they got Viera. (I don't think I've seen him this year. He may be injured or may not even still be with Juve.) I never paid much attention to him. He's just a basic CM. He does his job and rarely gets mention for better of for worse.

Now a regular starter with Fenerhacbe in Turkey.


Sammy Kuffor of Bayern Munich is a defender. Like, Appiah I've seen him play many times, but never really notice him that much, which I guess is good. He's also had some issues with the coach or something, which kept him out of some matches, I think.

Now starting regularly with Roma in Serie A.

Ivory Coast:
...Bonaventure Kalou of PSG is basically a "hole" player. I'm guessing you'll see him paired with Drogba up top, which will be a real handful if their midfield is anywhere near decent. Kalous is fast and creative with the ball at his feet. He is probably the main creative force and the guy you have to stop. He has lots of subtlety and can pass well. He can also play wing, but it's not his best position.

15 appearances and 3 goals so far for PSG this year. Soloman Kaou of Feynoord has 5 goals in 14 appearances.

Arouna Kone of PSV is supposed to be good, but I've never seen him play. I think he's either a striker or a winger.

Whatever position, he has 8 goals in 13 appearances in the Dutch First Division.

[elknco1]

i've only seen trabelsi play once (against arsenal in a preseason friendly earlier this year) but i was very impressed with what i saw. don't recall the specifics but i remember thinking he was probably one of the better (if not best) right fullbacks in the world.

[rollo]

Togo: Know very little about them.

Ghana: African soccer power house for years, has won multiple African Nation Cups but never qualified for the WC. Nicknamed the Black Stars. If I was putting $ on a team to surprise folks, it would be the Black Stars.

Ivory Coast: Gaining in rep and has some quality players. Great attacking players and style from the highlights I've seen.

Angola: The true minnows, and the most unexpected in the WC. Not much of a football rep, thus I know little about their playing style etc.

Tunisia: Reigning ANC champs, always a good side. From what I've seen, a more defensive style of football.

I remember the Ghanian team from the Tourney where Donovan won the Golden Boot and Beasely the silver. They were excellent and self-distructed at one point. If the men's national team is any reflection of that team, they will be very very difficult. I remember awesome physique (very strong and fast) from all the players combined with great foot work, and Brazil style use of space.

[Dadinho]

I know an Angolan was once the top scorer at the World Cup.

Yeah, but he didn't play for Angola so he doesn't count.

[ZeekLTK]

Ivory Coast:
lost to Cameroon twice in qualifying, 2-0 in Cameroon and 3-2 at home. They were very lucky to qualify after losing to Cameroon at home. They were saved by Egypt, who tied Cameroon in Cameroon in the last set of games to send IC through. (I only know this, because one of my friends is from IC and he kept reminding me of how lucky they were.)

key players: Most have heard of Chelsea's Didier Drogba. He's a true #9. He's got great speed and is very strong. His game is all about physical domination with speed and strength. His skill is a bit questionable though. He's good, but certainly not on par with guys like Sheva or Ronaldo like some suggest. He won't beat you with creativity. He's very direct. He led the team with 9 goals in the final round of WCQs.

Next is Kolo Toure of Arsenal. He is a CB and is about as athletic as anybody. He can dribble like a winger and has a great outside shot.

Bonaventure Kalou of PSG is basically a "hole" player. I'm guessing you'll see him paired with Drogba up top, which will be a real handful if their midfield is anywhere near decent. Kalous is fast and creative with the ball at his feet. He is probably the main creative force and the guy you have to stop. He has lots of subtlety and can pass well. He can also play wing, but it's not his best position.

Arouna Kone of PSV is supposed to be good, but I've never seen him play. I think he's either a striker or a winger.

Kalou is usually not paired up front with Drogba. He is usually on a wing or in midfield. Aruna Dindane, who is very good but has been overshadowed by Drogba, will most likely be paired with Drogba up front the entire time. Dindane is a great dribbler and shooter, a quote I won't forget from watching the Cote d'Ivoire-Egypt match was when Dindane has the ball, the announcer goes "and here's Dindane... he loves to take defenders on with the dribble" and right when he said that Dindane dribbles around two Egyptian defenders and sends a rocket at the goal that the keeper just narrowly got a touch on to deflect it away. It really made an impression on me. It's also important to note that while Drogba led the team with 9 goals in qualifying, Dindane was right behind him with 7.

Also, Kone is a striker. But I don't think he plays much because Drogba and Dindane are above him on the depth chart.

There is also a player named Arthur Boka, who some are calling the "African Roberto Carlos". He has that nickname for a reason, he plays exactaly like Roberto Carlos!

Cyrille Domoraud is another midfielder to watch out for as well.

[Autogolazo]

I watched the Tunisia-Morocco mini-final, as well as seeing them in action in the Confed Cup.

Tunisia is by far the most "finesse" of these teams (Jaidi aside). Lots of defending and ball possession, heavily tactical. I would say the US matches up best with them of all the African teams because the US is used to the style from Central American sides. And because we saw what big bodies did to the US in 2002.

That being said, Tunisia look much more polished from exposure to European league play than in '98 or '02. Their players are extremely skilled on the ball, if not fast. They are no pushovers (like I think Saudi Arabia will be).

[Elninho]

Historically, the US has actually matched up very poorly against North African teams (in fact I don't think we have ever beaten a team from North Africa), but very well against the rest of Africa (haven't ever lost to a sub-Saharan African team).

In Bruce's tenure, against North Africa, we have a 2-1 friendly loss at Morocco and a 1-1 friendly draw at home vs. Tunisia; and against the rest of Africa we have a 0-0 draw in the Confed Cup vs. Cameroon and a 4-0 win in the US Cup vs. South Africa.

Most of North Africa plays a characteristic style: defensive, very tactical, possession-oriented when they have the ball. It's basically a much more defensive version of Mexico's game. It shows in their domestic leagues as well: the North African leagues are as a region the world's lowest-scoring, many of them averaging under 2 goals per game. That's probably why we struggle against North Africa - Mexico tries to push forward a lot and we catch them on the counter, but against North Africa we may have a hard time breaking down the bunker.

That said, if we play Tunisia, I would not be unhappy, given how completely McBride owned Jaidi the last time they faced each other.

As for Togo, I remember breaking down the lineup they fielded in one WCQ match. All eleven starters were Euro-based, though only three or four of them were regular starters in the Big Five leagues.

[SoccerFreak]

Angola:
beat Nigeria 1-0 at home and tied them 1-1 in Nigeria

key players: Your guess is as good as mine.



Their key player is forward Pedro Mantorras Manuel, who plays for Benfica. But they played most of their qualifying campaign without him because he was out with an injury for almost a year.

Another one of their best players is Akwa, who's a midfielder for some club in either UAE or Qatar.

That's all I know about them.

[sidefootsitter]

I saw Tunisia vs. Germany and part of their game vs. Argentina - I thought Germany dominated them physically but Argentina had a tougher time and was saved by a pretty silly PK giveaway. (It ended 2:1)

Tunisia did beat Australia, which was then coached by Frank Farina, 2:0. That loss led to Guus Hiddink's hiring to head the Aussies, whose defense was pathetic and disorganized the whole tournament.