Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu believes it will be difficult for an African country to make it to the semifinal stage of this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Africa will be represented by Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria at the global football fiesta – which is set to commence on June 14, 2018.
In the history of the competition, no African country have made it to the last eight of the tournament but the aforementioned five representatives will bid to become the continent’s first side to reach the semi-finals.
However, Badu who featured for the Black Stars at the 2014 edition in Brazil, says the wait for a last four berth will go on for at least four more years.
”Reaching the last four is always difficult [for the African teams] because they can’t deal with the strong teams,” Badu was quoted as saying by Joy Sports.
“However, soon, an African team will break that record [qualify for the semi-finals], but not this year. I don’t fancy any of the five teams to reach the semis.”
”Maybe Morocco or Senegal can advance from their respective groups [this year] but I don’t see them going as far as the semi-finals.”
Egypt – the first African country to play at the World Cup – will play in Group A, alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Morocco find themselves in Group B, which also contains Portugal, Spain and Iran.
Nigeria are set to come up against Argentina in the group stage for the fifth time as both sides made Group D. Iceland and Croatia are the other teams of the group.
Tunisia have England, Belgium and Panama to battle in Group G, while Senegal, who return to the global gathering for the first time since debuting in 2002, will square off against Poland, Colombia and Japan in Group H.
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