In the last years the Ivory Coast has been one of the most hyped African teams. And with reason: headed by Didier Drogba the team has one of the strongest teams of experienced players in the best European leagues. But again and again they have disappointed. South Africa 2013 has been no exception. Today they lost 2-1 in the quarterfinals against a Nigeria that has been criticized throughout the tournament, but that has been growing stronger and stronger throughout the tournament. Emmanuel Emenike's opening goal was a thunderous kick and Sunday Mba's winning goal should put the locally-based player in the radar of European sides.
under coach Stephen Kechi. Stephen Kechi created discussion last year when he criticized African football for hiring European (white) coaches rather than qualified African coaches. The way Nigeria played today against French coach Sabri Lamouchi's Ivorian side, he must be delighted to prove his point.
Nigeria will now face Mali in another all-West African semi-final (the other being Burkina Faso-Ghana), and surely Nigeria must be considered as a candidate for the title now!
No comments:
Post a Comment