Brazil 2014: UK analysts tip Nigeria, Ghana as Africa's favourites

Football analysts in the UK on Tuesday rated Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana as Africa’s favourite teams for the World Cup.

Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Cote D’Ivoire are the five teams representing the continent.


The rating came as Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, released the list of 23-man squad that would be paraded in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.


Some of the analysts told the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that both teams had entrenched professionalism in their patterns of play.


According to them, this has made the two teams emerging as strong contenders in the recent time.


They said that even though the teams did not have many international star players, their recent performances would likely see them through the quarter final stage which the continent had never surpassed.


Mr Bill Adams, a sports enthusiast, said “no African country has ever progressed beyond the quarterfinals in World Cup, even though Ghana tried in 2010 but hopefully this time around they would (surpass it)”.

“I see Nigeria, Africa’s champions going very far, Ghana as well,” Adams said.


Similarly, Mr Raymond Akpe said “Brazil 2014 will spring surprises, but one thing I have envisioned is Nigeria breaking barriers and winning the quarter finals”.


“Coach Keshi has exceptionally done well in repositioning the team; you can see from their friendly matches with Italy and Scotland that they are ready,” Akpe said.


Also, Mr Ekpat Sunday expressed the hope that both teams would win their first round matches but called for more commitment on the part of players to move to other rounds.


Sunday said that Cote D’Ivoire, Cameroon and Algeria were equally strong as well and they also would “impress us”.


The football enthusiast, who lauded Keshi’s selection of players especially the inclusion of Osaze Odemwingi, however, expressed disappointment at the exclusion of 2013 Nation’s Cup hero, Sunday Mba.