Africa’s highs and lows in Russia

It’s been a mixed 2018 Fifa World Cup thus far for African sides with Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia already knocked out of the competition, while Nigeria and Senegal still have a decent shot at reaching the last 16. Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark takes a look at where it has gone right and wrong for the continent’s five representatives in Russia. Nigeria

Gernot Rohr’s Nigeria looked on shaky ground after their Group D opener, with the Super Eagles coach clearly getting his tactics wrong in a 2-0 defeat to Croatia. John Obi Mikel has played most of his career as a defensive midfielder, but Rohr bizarrely decided to use him as an attacking 10, with Alex Iwobi also played out of position and Odion Ighalo strangely preferred to Kelechi Iheanacho as Nigeria were never in the game against their European opponents. Rohr dropped Iwobi and Ighalo, and brought in Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa (above) for the game against Iceland and it paid off as Musa scored two wonderful goals in a 2-0 win. Nigeria now have a great chance of reaching the last 16, as they face a beleaguered Argentina in their final group game this evening.

Senegal

Aliou Cisse’s slow fist pump earned instant fame as Senegal won their Group H opener against Poland, a piece of brilliant opportunism by M’baye Niang and the standout moment on the field of a 2-1 win. It was Africa’s first point, let alone win at the 2018 Fifa World Cup and it was achieved by the only black coach at the competition. The Teranga Lions might have made it two out of two on Sunday, but were twice pegged back by Japan in a thrilling draw, with Sadio Mane (above) making his mark on the tournament. Senegal need just a point from their final group match against Colombia on Thursday to make the last 16, but will do well to get it against a South American opponent that seems to be on the rise after a superb performance against Poland on Sunday. That one should be an absolute cracker.

Egypt

The Pharaohs made a dismal return to the world stage after a 28-year absence, defeats to Uruguay and Russia meaning yesterday’s final Group A match against Saudi Arabia was a dead rubber. To make matters worse, reports emerged ahead of yesterday that Mohamed Salah may retire from the national team, upset with his FA after a meeting was arranged between him and controversial Chechnia leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Salah’s fitness was an issue for Egypt after he injured a shoulder for Liverpool in the Uefa Champions League final against Real Madrid. Salah missed the Group A opener as they were stung by a last-gasp Uruguay winner and though he played in their second game and scored from the penalty spot, it was debatable whether he was fully fit. Egypt were overrun by an ebullient host nation.

Morocco

Morocco were knocked out of the World Cup after just two matches, leaving them to try and restore some pride and upset the Spanish in their final Group B game yesterday. The Atlas Lions did have reason to rue their luck over two games against Iran and Portgual in which they played some delightful passing football, but could not hit the back of the net. Against Iran, Morocco came flying out of the blocks and had several early opportunities. Who knows, with a lucky deflection like Spain’s Diego Costa got against Iran, they may have won and rewritten their path in the competition. Instead, Aziz Bouhaddouz’s late own-goal left Morocco with a mountain to climb against Portugal. They acquitted themselves well, with Hakim Ziyech (above) a creative menace from midfield but Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was enough to send them out.

Tunisia

Nabil Maaloul’s (above) Tunisia came into this competition as the number one ranked team in Africa but didn’t look it in Russia as they slumped out of the tournament with defeats to England and Belgium. The Carthage Eagles’ defence simply wasn’t able to deal with a step up in class on the world stage and they could have been way behind England at halftime. They were helped out by profligacy from Gareth Southgate’s men and a very soft penalty decision that enabled them to go into the break at 1-1. Tunisia defended far better in the secondhalf, but paid the price of only playing for a draw when their concentration lapsed in stoppage time and Harry Kane pounced. Against Belgium, the Carthage Eagles were never at the races, unable to cope with the skills of Eden Hazard and the power of Romelu Lukaku, as they were hammered 5-2.