The oracle is back.
Those who want to know how Africa will perform at the 2014 World Cup had better keep a date with this page.
We have spoken with some renowned persons in the international football media and published their initial impressions.
We have also looked at the documents of betting syndicates and experts in the permutations and know what the odds are. They don’t give Africans a chance.
Now, it is time to go ‘inside’, into our crystal ball, to see beyond the views of the analysts and the pundits.
Here are some more fuzzy ‘revelations’!
Group G
Ghana will have their hands full against Germany, Portugal and the USA.
Ghana’s first advantage will be psychological - Brazil 2014 is not expected to be a European World Cup even with experienced campaigners like Germany, Spain, Italy and Holland in the mix.
The oracle sees dark clouds.
On paper, Germany look good to lead the group. They have the players and the experience of playing and winning at this level.
Portugal do not have such credentials, and even with the current best player in the world in their team, few are confident they can come through in this group.
Cristiano Ronaldo has never done for Portugal what he does regularly for his clubs. This is because in Portugal he is an one-man army!
The USA are hard working and always give 100% in effort. But they do not have the technical depth and experienced players to dominate the group. They always struggle, even when they sometimes win important matches.
So, even though pundits are not giving them much of a chance, Ghana are still faintly in the oracle’s radar.
It warns other teams to beware of the Black Stars and their short passing, their powerful running, physical play, confidence on the ball, organisational discipline and flair.
Group H
If there is one group where anything is possible, including the possibility of Algeria emerging group leader, this is it!
Algeria are a real ‘dark horse’ and that could be to their advantage. Very little is known about them and, so, little is also expected of them!
Russia look like the European version of Algeria – little known, little public expectation. The one big asset in the team presently is the discipline and experience of coach Fabio Capello.
Unfortunately, a coach is only as good as the players he has and Russia do not boast an array of good players.
South Korea are not very different. They have a few players playing in secondary European leagues and teams, but no outstanding ones to anchor any serious surge at the championship. Not much is known about them.
Their performance in qualifying is littered with ups and downs that reflect an inconsistent team. They struggled to qualify. Their greatest credential is their consistent consecutive appearance at the last eight World Cup championships.
Belgium are in a different class.
Every international analyst and pundit predicts that Belgium will be a major challenger at the 2014 World Cup. The team was unbeaten throughout its run to Brazil.
They have a squad of young gifted players playing regularly in several top European clubs. Add to that their group opponents, and you can’t fault all those predicting they will lead group H.
The oracle does not see it any differently.
Having said all that, Algeria have a chance and all should watch out for the Desert Warriors as they attempt to re-enact their incredible achievements of the early 1980s.
Group F
Nigeria are teamed with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia.
Iran are not a pushover even though they do not have big players. They defeated South Korea away from home to qualify for the World Cup.
That is significant. They may lack the players in numbers and quality but they make up for that in their determination, work ethic and ability to absorb pressure.
Bosnia Herzegovina are very dangerous customers by all standards. They have deep technical experience in football, being a part of the rich old football tradition of former Yugoslavia.
They always create and score goals, as their records in qualifying for the World Cup show.
Nigeria will have a hard time in every match, but they will defeat Iran because they are a better team.
They will also overcome the Bosnians because they (Bosnia) will find it hard-going under the harsh humid conditions of Brazil in summer and the strength and pace of the Nigerians should be too much to handle...
So, the oracle sees the Eagles soaring high in the skies of Brazil alongside Argentina from the group.
But how will Nigeria fare against Argentina? It is the last group match. The result may depend on the position of the teams by the time they scheduled to meet.
Argentina have beaten Nigeria in all their three previous meetings at this level. This may spur either a serious challenge for Nigeria or become a psychological burden.
Either way, Nigeria will stride into the second round against all the predictions of international analysts and pundits
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