African Nations have always been considered at the FIFA world cup as the underdogs until things changed when African teams such as Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Cameroon started qualifying from the group stage to the round of 16 and to the quarterfinals of the FIFA world cup tournaments. Since the creation of the FIFA world cup in 1930, with Uruguay as the first winner of the prestigious trophy, no African country has ever featured in the semi-finals of this competition. The greatest achievement of any African country at the FIFA world cup stage has been at the quarterfinals stage. So far, only 3 African countries have ever made it to the quarterfinals stage.
Cameroon (Italy 1990)
The indomitable lions of Cameroon were the first African country to ever make it to the Quarterfinals stage of the FIFA world cup. The competition was hosted by Italy in 1990 and featured a lot of great players like the legendary late Deigo Maradona, Sergio Goycochea, Luis Gabelo Conejo, Jurgen Klinsmann, Franco Bares, Dragan Stojkovic, Paul Gascoigne, Roger Milla, Roger Milla, Salvatore Schillaci, Lothar Matthaus, and host of others. Cameroon was amongst the only 2 african nations alongside Egypt to represent the beautiful continent of Africa. Played in group B alongside Diego Maradona’s Argentina, Romania, and the USSR. Cameroon defeated Argentina 1-0 goal scored by Omam Biyik. Cameroon later moved on to win its second game against Romania by 2-1 both goals by Roger Miller in the 76″ and 86″ of the game.
The indomitable lions of Cameroon lost their last game of the group stage to USSR which let them to finish 2nd on the table behind Argentina and enabled them to progress to the round of 16 where they clashed with Columbia. Cameroon defeated Columbia by 2-1 , goals scored by Roger Miller in the 106′ and 109′ minutes of the game giving them the passport to the quarterfinals which they bow down to England by 3-2. With this performance, Cameroon became the first African country to ever make it to the quarterfinals of a FIFA world cup.
Senegal (Japan/South Korea 2002)
2002 FIFA world cup in Japan/South Korea, Senegal was a new comer and found herself in Group A along side reigning champions France, two-times winner Uruguay, and Demark. Senegal beat France in the opening Group match by 1-0, goal scored by Bouba Diop in the 30th minutes. Senegal’s second game of the competition was against Denmark which ended 1-1 draw The lions of Taranga clashed with Uruguay for their last game of the group stage which ended in a 3-3 draw . Bouba Diob again on the score sheet, netting 2 goals in the 26th and 38th minutes and Fadiga in the 20th minutes through a penalty shot. Senegal finished 2nd behind first position Denmark and qualified to the knock-out stage. At the round of 16, they locked horns with Sweden where they defeated Sweden by 2-1 both goals scored by Henri Camara in the 37th and 104th minutes of the game giving Senegal their ticket to the quarterfinals. This thus makes Senegal the second African country to attain the quarterfinals stage of a FIFA world cup tournament after Cameroon in 1990. Senegal meeting with Turkey for the quarterfinals match was the end of the road for them as they bow out of the competition by losing to Turkey by 1-0.
Ghana (South Africa 2010)
The black stars of Ghana became the third African country to attain the quarterfinals of the FIFA world cup. There couldn’t have been a better place to grab this achievement other than on their own African soil. Hosted by South Africa in 2010, the host nation became the first African country to have ever hosted the World’s biggest football tournament since the creation of the FIFA world cup in 1930. The Black Stars of Ghana led by Asamoah Gyan found themselves in Group D alongside power house Germany, Serbia and Australia. Ghana won their opening game with Serbia by beating them 1-0 goal scored by Asamoah Gyan and a draw in their second game against Australia 1-1 goal yet by Asamoah Gyan. Ghana’s last match in the group stage came up against Germany which they lost by 1-0. Regardless their defeat to Germany, the Black Stars of Ghana qualified in second place to the knockout stage with 4 points. In the round of 16, Ghana was drawn with The United States of America where they won 2-1. goals from London Donovan for the United states in the 62th minutes from the penalty spot, 1 goal from Kevin prince Boateng in the 5th minute and the winning goal from Asamoah Gyan in the 3rd minute of extra time giving them their qualification ticket to the quarterfinals where they were they had to lock horns with South American side Uruguay making them the 3rd African country to ever graced the quarterfinals stage of a FIFA world cup. This tie was the most mind blowing and entertaining game of the FIFA 2010 world cup as Ghana was the last African team in the tournament and playing on an African soil. Ghana took the lead in injury time of the 1st half goal from Sulley Muntari and in the 55th minutes, an equalizer came in from Diego Forlan free kick.
The match ended with a draw at regular time and in the 120th minutes of Extra time, luiz surarez was sent of with a red card for stopping a beautiful header from Ghanian Dominic Adiyiah on the goal line with his hand . It was a perfect opportunity for Ghana to move to the semifinals , unfortunately this could not happen as Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty awarded to them which led to the match to be decided in a penalty shoot outs which they lost 4-2.
