Indomitable Lions of Cameroon

Five Defend Africa in 2002 World Cup Finals
                                                   
Nigeria's Kanu Warns England
By Omari Jackson
May 19, 2002
                    
The finals of the 2002 World Cup gets underway on May 31 with defending champions, France meeting with Senegal, one of the five Africa representatives in Seoul, South Korea in Group A. The second African encounter is between South Africa and Paraguay on 2 June. The next will be the highly touted Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, considered the best-prepared African side, going against Germany.

Great Nigeria's match is on 2 June clashing with one of the favorites, Argentina, and Tunisia complete the number, opening their encounter against Russia in Japan on 5 June. It is hoped that these representatives will do well and gain some respectability among the competitors.

However, in the finals that countries like France, Argentina and Brazil are determined to announce their superiority, it will be foolhardy for any African to entertain the notion that our representatives will have a smooth sailing. The World Cup clearly is the soccer showpiece of the universe. It is at such fiestas that soccer giants like Brazil and Argentina have been recognized and respected.

But for Africa, history and our participation in the prestigious World Cup have not been enviable. The last time any African can look back on the World Cup for fond memories was during the 1990 edition, when Cameroon's 38-year-old Roger Milla led his side within minutes to a semi-final berth.

It is painful to remember that at the last finals in France, Africa had the worst performance, with three representatives, Morocco, Cameroon and South Africa failing to win in their opening encounters and Nigeria being whipped 4-1 by Denmark in the second round.

Nwankuo Kanu

Presently among the five representatives, Cameroon seem to favor the pundits. Why? Cameroon is the current African Champions. They are reported to have a disciplined defense, revolving around Patrick Mbomba and Samuel Eto'o. We wish them well.

Senegal, being coached by Frenchman Bruno Metsu will be determined to make some positive impact and hope to pull up a surprise. One advantage Africa has is that we will count on our numerous stars in European leagues to make our expectation a reality.

But sadly enough, there are not many stars that we can count on now. This brings to mind two of our successful soccer legends: Liberia's George Weah and Ghana's Abedi Pele. Of the current crop of players, few are setting Europe alight. Cameroon's Mbomba has been loaned to Sutherland from Parma, Bennie McCarthy has been released to Porto from Celta Vigo while Geremi and Quinton Fortune warm the benches of giants Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively.

Even Nigerian stars Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankuo Kanu, who have warned England in their forthcoming encounter, are used sparingly by their coaches at Paris St. Germaine and Arsenal.

Senegal's African Player of the Year, Ousseynou Diouf is one of the few who has been regularly performing well for club side

 Lens, but only in a weakened French league. Overall, it seems that many of the African representatives may field very youthful sides.

It is unfortunate the likes of George Weah and Abedi Pele may not be there to sell to the world their brand of soccer that can make an entire stadium stand to salute them. It is hoped that our representatives will put up a spirited performance in cementing the fact that Africa's turn is yet to come.