Let the goals flow (in Africa)

[David Votoupal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOwNJCqZ4u4

This one was a classic. Cameroon hosted the Nations Cup in 1972 and two large stadia were used for the event, Cameroon being one of the more prosperious African states at the time.

But they choked in the semis to Congo (and took a decade to really recover), who went on to unexpectedly win the tournament in this win over Mali. Both countries had players who either played or would play in France- Mali had Salif Keita, who played for Saint Etienne, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon and is the uncle of Seydou Keita and Mohammed Sissoko. Congo had Franois M'Pel, who also played in France at the time.

It was a time of enormous development for African football. Zaire's abominable 1974 showing was a complete aberration (and a mitigated one) among African World Cup performances- most African nations gave a decent account of themselves on the world stage, and just got better and better.

Of course, not only would Cameroon qualify for World Cups, they also started winning the Nations Cup too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rmdJfUOBkU

 

[midfielder]

Some nice goals their ... enjoyed watching em...

 

[David Votoupal]

What Africa is able to produce in football despite the problems of the continent is an utter miracle. But they've also been exposed to European influences for decades, and built themselves into being the third strongest footballing continent after Europe and South America.

 

[David Votoupal]

Two more, free-kicks from Taher Abou Zaid of Al-Ahly and Egypt fame:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSB1Oq0Szs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BitBv4KbuA

 

[midfielder]

Maybe we should sign the guy to take our free's near the box.

 

[David Votoupal]

Egypt choked in the '80 and '84 tournaments, going 2-0 up in the semis then contriving to lose it in a penalty shoot-out. Then in '86, on home soil, they finally won it after 27 years.

 

[Kareem]

Egypt choked in the '80 and '84 tournaments, going 2-0 up in the semis then contriving to lose it in a penalty shoot-out. Then in '86, on home soil, they finally won it after 27 years.

good old egypt.
And I have that rich North African blood coursing through my veins- self confessed choker here
i'm suprised we actually won the last 2 African Cups
Nah seriously though- especially last cup everyone (including myself) expected Ghana then maybe Ivroy Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria to challenge...i'm not complaining

 

[David Votoupal]

Well Egypt were always there or thereabouts as one of the top teams in Africa. They were also unlucky in Italia '90 to be drawn in a tough group, but still two draws and a 1-0 loss to England didn't sound bad.

A draw or narrow loss to England must be the pinnacle of any country's footballing achievements