Africa deserves more slots at the World Cup - Baffoe

Ex Ghana defender Anthony Baffoe believes Africa deserves more places at the FIFA World Cup despite the recent poor performance of teams from the continent.

Baffoe’s comment adds to the rolling debate as to whether FIFA should increase the five representative slots allotted to CAF for the FIFA World Cup. Critics even believe the five slots given Africa ought to be whittled down due to Africa’s poor showing at the recent World Cup in Brazil.


Only Nigeria and Algeria were able to make it past the group stage of the just ended edition – sparking debates as to whether Africa indeed deserves extra slots as against their competitors in Europe in particular who have 13 slots.


The best African performance in the history of the World Cup finals is a quarter final finish – achieved by Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana.


Teams from the continent have struggled to cut it against some of the top sides in other parts of the world.


Nevertheless, Baffoe believes Africa must be given more spots even if it takes an extra competitive slot by way of playoffs against another team from a different confederation.

“I believe in intercontinental playoffs and I believe we need to have one additional spot or two,” the ex-Ghana defender said during the weekly Soccer Africa show.


“If you look at the performance in 2006 and the performance in 2010 and you see the impact of African players in club football outside the continent, then I think we need more spots.”


Europe had the highest allotment of 13 at the 2014 World Cup with South America following with six – including hosts Brazil.


CAF presented five teams including; Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon.