Nigeria, Algeria carry Africa banner

With the fancied three heavyweights, Cameroun, Cote d'lvoire and Ghana departed, the African challenge at the Brazil World Cup has been whittled down to two, thanks to the exploits of Nigeria and Algeria.

It must be disappointing the performance of especially Ghana and Cameroun in Brazil, but Cote d' Ivoire's early exit should be no news. For three consecutive World Cups, the Ivorian Elephants have failed to exceed expectation, having previously left the stage after the first round in Germany and South Africa despite their talent.

For Ghana, who were quarter-finalists at the last tournament in South Africa and were many pundits's tip to scale into the semi-finals this year, the first round exit without a win must have come as a big let down.

The uncharacteristic row over appearance fees payment in cash cannot be exonerated for the Ghanaians' woes. But while out of this historic tournament licking their wounds, the eyes of Africans everywhere in the world are now fixed on what adventures Nigeria and Algeria can make going forward.

On Monday, both teams face two European football superpowers in France and Germany, respectively. While Nigeria will be seeking to make amends at the National Stadium in Brasilia where Ghana crashed 1-2 against Portugal, another European side, Algeria will be attempting to outshine Germany in Porto Alegre.
It is statistically revealing that both African teams finished second in their respective groups on four points while their

European opponents topped their respective groups on seven points. It must also be striking that while Nigeria and Algeria won a match each, drawn once and lost once at the group stage, France and Germany won two matches each, drawn once with no losses.

Comparatively, the Europeans appear stronger against the Africans, but having tasted European opposition in their respective groups and triumphed, both Nigeria and Algeria should feel confident taking on France and Germany today.

Coach Stephen

Keshi's Super Eagles, for instance, are as talented as their French opponents to be able to knock them out. Led in midfield by John Obi Mikel of Chelsea of England fame, with stars such as striker Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike, Shola Ameobi, captain Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama populating their ranks, the Eagles must have the wings strong enough to power above the Azzuris.

But fears are that the crippling agitation over cash among the players following their second round qualification can as well ruin the Nigeria adventure in similar fashion as Ghana. The Nigerian players missed out on training last

Thursday protesting a suspected shortchange of their qualification bonus of $30,000 each instead of the $15,000 that each of them received.

This is becoming typical of African teams losing focus over monetary concerns just when expectations are high. However, the Super Eagles' tactician, Stephen Keshi, has no such worries, saying "it will not distract from my team's focus against France on Monday". But we have heard that before, coming from Keshi's West African neighbour, Ghana's Kwasi Appiah.

He had assured the people that the hullabaloo in the Black Stars camp over the appearance fees saga would not distract the team from their focus to win their last group match against Portugal.
However, what happened in that match is now history, while the ripple effect has yet to assume proportions.