When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only five of the 53 teams from the African region will be present (well, 6 of 54 if you count the hosts, South Africa). The CAF has been the region that features some of the fastest rising international squads in the world, but which of these talented teams will play before friendly crowds in 2010?
Well, here they are in order of how certain I am they will qualify:
- Cote d’Ivoire: Their draw is absolutely laughable. If they don’t make the tourney, I will be shocked. The teams they play are lucky to have even made it to the 3rd round, and they are a bona fide African side.
- Nigeria: They may be the best of the region’s bunch and their draw is also ridiculously easy. They should have no problem advancing to the tourney, and when they do I think they will be an underdog team to watch.
- Ghana: What an easy draw (are you sensing a pattern here). They should easily advance to the world’s biggest tourney and I wouldn’t put an escape from the group stage past them. They will have the crowd on their side.
- Egypt: Even though they have had some recent fantastic performances, this team still doesn’t get much respect. While I don’t think they will be a force during the World Cup, I imagine they will at least qualify.
- Cameroon: Crazy that I have them all the way down here, I know. They have some fantastic players and great chemistry. But, Morocco is no slouch, and if they can upset Cameroon, Africa’s best may fail to qualify.
(Written 3/23 Pursuant to Prediction Tournament Rules)
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