The World Cup knockout stages get underway this weekend with the round of 16 pitting pool toppers against runners-up in the eight fixtures from group A to Group H.
It is saddening that no African team managed to make it past their respective groups with Senegal crashing out at the very end of an emotionally manipulative encounter with South American middleweights Colombia.
Egypt were pre-tournament favorites to make it out of their group alongside either host Russia or Luis Suarez’s Uruguay.
They, the Pharaohs, however, managed only a solitary point and two goals over the three-game group fixtures that condemned them to another painful exit having also exited under similar circumstances in the 1990 World Cup edition.
Nigeria were yet another African team poised to make it very far in the tournament but ended up being Argentina’s route to the next round having occupied second place in the group prior to their match and poised to hold out for at least a draw that would have been enough to see them through.
It is fair to refrain from saying North African neighbors Tunisia and Morocco had any chance of making it through considering the level of opposition they had to overcome if at all they were indeed to make it out of their respective groups.
Tunisia had to overcome tournament favorites England and Belgium while Morocco had to be better than the likes of 2010 champions Spain and Euro 2016 winners Portugal.
So, where did it all go wrong?
1. Injuries
It is fair to say that injuries quite really cost African teams ‘chances of making it through. Egyptian superstar was a pre-tournament doubt but despite coach Hector Cuper declaring him fit to take part in the tournament, it would have been better to just leave him out as he was visibly not fit in the two final group matches he took part in despite notching a goal in the 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel was also not at his usual best having struggled with injuries in the build-up to the tournament. Senegal’s Geoffrey Kondogbia had to cut his loan stint at Valencia short after picking up a muscle complication towards the end of the tournament.
He was picked anyway. Morocco and Tunisia also had their own backdoor problems as most players struggled to be fit in time to take part in the tournament.
2. Slow starts
Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria had very slow starts to the competition and it could have affected the players’ general motivation by the time they took to the turf to play the next game.
Nigeria deservedly lost to Croatia after performing dismally. Morocco almost secured a point against minnows Iran only to be broken by a last-minute own goal that saw them lose 1-0.
Tunisia gave their all and could have managed a draw against England but were heartbroken by Harry Kane’s touch of brilliance deep into extra time.
Egypt were the best side against Uruguay for the entire game but an 89th minute Jose Gimenez header meant they could not even have a share of the spoils.
3. Unfamiliar territories
African teams including Tunisia and Morocco were pitted against teams that command a lot of support across Europe as in England, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain.
Playing against these teams felt like playing on a very different galaxy as their support could not be heard whatsoever. It quintessentially undid their fans’ input and made it look like playing with no support at all.
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