The ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup will enter its semi-final stage this Tuesday without any African team.
This tournament used to be Africa’s stronghold as Ghana lifted the trophy in 2009 when Egypt hosted; they also came second in 1993 and third in 2013.
Nigeria have come second twice in 1989 and 2005. The Flying Eagles also won the bronze in 1985.
Mali came third in 1999 when Nigeria hosted the championship and in the 2015 edition in New Zealand, where they defeated fellow Africans, Senegal 3-1 in the third placed match.
The Young Pharaohs of Egypt won the bronze in 2001.
Sadly, in this edition, there will be no fourth place; there will be no bronze medal for Africa.
Africa’s representatives, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa did not measure up to expectation.
The first to be eliminated were South Africa, who played in group F against Argentina, Korea Republic and Portugal.
They lost their first match to Argentina 5-2, making their second match against Korea republic a must win, but they narrowly lost to the Asians by a lone goal.
South Africa could still qualify as one of the best third placed teams if they get a nice result in their last match against Portugal. Unfortunately, South Africa could only get a 1-1 draw, a score line that placed them last in their group table with only one point and sent them home, after the group stages.
The Flying Eagles have already been severely criticized by home fans after their lethargic performance in the U-20 AFCON, where they finished fourth. But, instead of lifting their game, the Paul Aiegbogun tutored side won the ‘Worst Nigeria’s U-20 Team Award.”
There was no coordination, no cohesion and no understanding in the team. They did not play like a group of players that had any training session. Some of the players lacked common techniques like ball trapping and control. The simply played like what we call “choosing” in Nigeria. That is a group of boys, who come together in an open space, divide themselves into two teams and start playing football.
After they defeated error-prone Qatar 4-0, the real test came against USA and Ukraine. They lost 2-0 to the United States and labored to draw 1-1 with Ukraine. Though, the managed to qualify as one of the best third teams, it was obvious that the dooms day will soon come, and yes it did.
Their round-of-16 clash against fellow West Africans, Senegal, who also defeated them at the U-20 AFCON, nailed their coffin as they were eliminated 2-1.
After eliminating their African brothers, Senegal faced Korea Republic in the quarter-finals. They allowed the Asians to come from behind twice to level 2-2 and to take the lead during the first period of the extra-time.
Fortunately, they equalized at the nick of time only to lose on penalties.
Mali came second in their group with four points after they drew 1-1 with Panama, beat Saudi Arabia 4-3 and lost 2-3 to France.
They showed character to eliminate Argentina 4-5 on penalties after full and extra time had ended 2-2 in their round of 16 encounter to book a date with Italy in the quarter-final.
In their quarter final match with Italy, Mali lost to the Europeans 2-4.
African coaches must upgrade their tactical know-how to meet the current realities of the game. Selection of players should be on merit. Ethnic, religious and whatever sentiments should not be a basis of selecting players.
Players on their part should be proud to represent their countries. So when they don their national colors, they should put in their best. There are millions of players that will never don their national colors, so they few, who have the privilege should give in their best.
Football managers in Africa should stop money grabbing. They should focus on developing the game in the continent. They should ensure that they welfare of the national teams are prioritize.
May Africa never have such a woeful display in the U-20 World Cup again.
