The cup is an excellent vehicle for political ideas and values. Many African countries, especially those in the Horn of Africa, have invested in their national football teams to promote unity. They have also become important emphases for local communities, including South Africa. Ghana has won the Cup of Nations twice, in 1963 and 1965. And in 1996, the home team, South Africa, won the final for the first time.
France won the tournament in 2006, and South Africa has been one of the continent’s powerhouses for the past decade. Algeria and Nigeria were two African countries to make history in the world cup, and both countries have great soccer players. Egypt and South Africa have been favorites for several years, but Cameroon and Mali are regaining their glory. Other nations like Tanzania and DR Congo are making their mark.
Algeria and Nigeria have been the only African nations to win the World Cup. In the 2010 tournament, South Africa finished third in Group F, and beat eventual champions France in an injury-time penalty shootout. In Group F, Algeria and Nigeria dominated the group stage, with Tunisia and Libya both losing to Argentina. Both teams also won the Round of 16. In the knockout stage, Algeria and Morocco advanced.
In 1982, Cameroon defeated the defending champions, West Germany, and France. In 1986, a team led by Mobutu Sese Seko defeats Portugal. And in 2010, they reach the quarter finals. In 2002, Nigeria stunned world champions France. Their performance in the tournament upset many teams. This tournament is a great opportunity for them to prove their worth. They deserve a place in the next edition.
In 2006, Algeria and Nigeria were the only African teams to advance from Group H. They were eliminated by Belgium in the opening match, but then won the match against South Korea. In the final, Algeria and Nigeria were defeated by Russia. Both teams reached the Round of 16 but did not win the final. In 2011, it was the year of Ghana’s second appearance in the World Cup. The country is the first African team to reach the quarterfinals.
The first African team to reach the semifinals was Togo. It upset Senegal, which was a quarterfinalist in the 2002 World Cup. The Black Stars of Ghana and Togo won their group. In 2003, the Ivory Coast made it to the semifinals and the final, but were eliminated from Group B. They were eliminated from the competition. After the knockout round, however, Morocco had a better chance of reaching the semi-finals.