Who rules in Africa? The same five teams who qualified to
the 2014 World Cup are the same five who played for the 2010 in South Africa.
Are these five the dominant nations? They are definitely a strong group, but have
they always been as dominant?
Using the FIFA World Ranking system we examine which nations
in African football are dominating We can definitely see swings through the
last 20 years. Nations have had strong runs (Togo in 2006, Tunisia 1998-2002)
and others rose and fell quickly. While there are other great nations not
listed in this review, we selected the top nations that have some World Cup presence
since 1990.
If we look at the past 20 years, Libya has had tremendous
growth in football power. The best African countries have remained in the top
50. South Africa had a strong showing in the mid 90’s but has failed to deliver
consistent results for a nature of its size and power.
If we look at the specific numbers, Egypt rules over the
last two decades. Ironically the team has not qualified to the World Cup since
1990. Their strong performances in the African Nation Cups have kept their
average strong. Cameroon is close behind. In the next year they are likely to
surpass the Pharaohs. Nigeria has the distinction of having the highest ranking
ever (5).
Team
|
Highest
|
Lowest
|
Average Ranking
|
Egypt
|
Jul 2010 - 9
|
Mar 2013 - 75
|
32
|
Cameroon
|
Nov 2006 - 11
|
Mar 2013 - 79
|
33
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
Feb 2013 - 12
|
May 2004 - 75
|
35
|
Nigeria
|
Apr 1994 - 5
|
Nov 1999 - 82
|
37
|
Tunisia
|
Feb 1998 - 19
|
Jul 2010 - 65
|
37
|
Morocco
|
Apr 1998 - 10
|
Sep 2010 - 95
|
40
|
Ghana
|
Feb 2008 - 14
|
Jun 2004 - 89
|
42
|
South Africa
|
Aug 1996 - 16
|
Aug 1993 - 109
|
49
|
Senegal
|
Jun 2004 - 26
|
Jun 2013 - 99
|
58
|
Algeria
|
Nov 2012 - 19
|
Jun 2008 - 103
|
60
|
Togo
|
Aug 2006 - 46
|
Jul 2011 - 123
|
82
|
Libya
|
Sep 2012 - 36
|
Jul 1997 - 187
|
108
|
How about the last
six years?
The last six years, tell us a different story. While Egypt
still makes it to the top three (mainly because of their African Nation’s Cup
Success), they do not longer dominate. Cameroon falls two spots to number four.
South Africa looks even worst and Togo takes the undesirable honor of last
place. The usual suspects rise to the top and the occasional World Cup participants
do not fare as well.
Ivory Coast and Ghana are the top two nations. They have
delighted us with great football over the years. Without Luis Suarez’s handball,
we might have seen the first African Nation in the semifinals.
In 2014, Drogba
and Co are looking at finally making the splash that is expected from them.
Highest Year
|
Lowest Year
|
Average Ranking
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
15
|
26
|
21
|
Ghana
|
21
|
34
|
26
|
Egypt
|
11
|
59
|
34
|
Nigeria
|
27
|
57
|
36
|
Cameroon
|
16
|
63
|
39
|
Algeria
|
31
|
81
|
45
|
Tunisia
|
46
|
55
|
51
|
Morocco
|
42
|
76
|
63
|
Senegal
|
45
|
81
|
66
|
South Africa
|
47
|
76
|
67
|
Libya
|
49
|
97
|
75
|
Togo
|
74
|
106
|
84
|
So who is the king in Africa? Egypt and Ivory Coast take the
honor for now. After 2014, we expect to see Ivory Coast take the single honor
and dominate both the historical numbers as well as the recent past. The Pharaohs
might not want to see their continental rivals succeed in Brazil.
