Africa yearning for first semi-final ticket in World Cup history

Africa's five representatives at the World Cup will be keen to secure a semi-final spot at this year's Brazil finals after three quarter-final finishes

Brazil great Pele famously predicted that an African side would win the World Cup before 2000. Decades on, the continent is still looking for its first semi-final berth after some near misses.
Three quarter-final finishes are not enough for a continent with vastly improved teams that boast high-profile players in Europe's most lucrative league competitions.
Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) were all on the verge of booking a last-four berth only to fall at the last hurdle, with the latter going the farthest after losing to Uruguay on penalties following a controversial 1-1 quarter-final draw in South Africa four years ago.
Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the five African representatives at this summer's World Cup. They are all determined to break the duck.
''I do not see why Africa cannot have one or two of our representatives reach the semi-final or indeed even the final of the World Cup during my time as President,'' CAF president Issa Hayatou told the CAF official website in March.
Ghana were the unluckiest among the five teams, having been handed a very tough draw. They will face tournament favourites Germany, a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal and a physically resilient opponent in the United States in what is dubbed as the “group of death”.
The Black Stars are likely to fight for a runners-up spot, with Germany overwhelming favourites to top the group.
Ghana's coach Kwesi Appiah voiced optimism regarding his side's chances of surviving the group.
"It's nice to meet Germany and also the U.S. who we beat in the last 16 in 2010. We are a better team than in 2010 and I'm sure there will be a lot of surprises in this group," Appiah said after the draw.
Cameroon will also face tough opposition in hosts and five-time winners Brazil, Mexico and Croatia. With the Indomitable Lions nowhere near their peak, they will find it difficult to qualify for the last 16.
"Any team in the preliminary round with Brazil knows that it is more than just a normal group game," Cameroon coach Volke Finke said.
"You are playing against the emotion of an entire nation and in a stadium where as the underdog you certainly won't have it easy.
"Despite that it is especially attractive. Of course it's not an easy group and Brazil are the deserved favorites for the tournament. Nonetheless you try to get what would be a bonus point against them."
Better chance for Elephants
Ivory Coast were one of Africa's most potent sides during the last decade but luck abandoned them in their previous two participations. In 2006, they were drawn with Argentina and the Netherlands and in 2010 they had to face Brazil and Portugal.
Their mission is much easier this time around.
On paper, an Ivory Coast side featuring the likes of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba will have a fair chance of qualifying from a group that includes Japan, Greece and Colombia.
"For theIvory Coast it is the third time to be at the World Cup and for this third adventure there is a sense that nothing is impossible," Coach Sabri Lamouchi stated.
A youthful-looking Nigeria, who surprisingly won the African Nations Cup last year, will play in Group F with heavyweights Argentina, Iran and debutant Bosnia.
The Super Eagles, who missed the 2010 edition, will be eyeing their first win over Argentina, having suffered two defeats by the two-time world champions in 1994 (2-1) and 2002 (1-0).
"We keep playing Argentina every time at the World Cup," Nigeria's coach Stephan Keshi said in a news conference.
"It's good, we'll see how we go this time. Not knowing Bosnia is a difficult thing but they are a good team.
"I think I've seen them once or twice on TV. Iran, I've never seen them, but for them to be here means they are a good team," he added.
Algeria, Africa's best-ranked side, will test the efficiency of their rebuilding process under coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who molded an exciting young team built around the likes of Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli and Granada's Yacine Brahimi.
Few have survived from the underachieving 2010 World Cup squad, including defenders Madjid Bougherra and Rafik Halliche.
Their task will not be easy as they were drawn with an impressive Belgium side, Fabio Capello's Russia and South Korea.
"We could have had a much more difficult group but there's no easy group or no group of death," Vahid Halilhodzic said.
"Belgium are a big football nation with a lot of quality and, in my opinion, could well be one of the surprises of the tournament.
"I also know Russia well, they have a great coach. Korea are also very skilful and have lots of movement. We'll come to try and surprise. We won't come as tourists but it will be very difficult."
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