Who Is Going To Break the Jinx?

I still remember watching a Romanian referee organizing a Zairian defensive wall, supposedly a 10-foot free kick for Brazil, which sparked confusion among the African players.

To the surprise of the referee, who had blown his whistle, and the millions of people watching around the world, Ilunga Mwepu ran from the wall and kicked the ball away.

In today's game it would had been a clearly justifiable straight red, irrespective of who and why, but the sensible official could only caution Mwepu with a yellow.

Ignorance?

Zaire were making history, the first African nation from Sub-Sahara and second after Egypt to play in a World Cup Finals, but laws of the game have always been clear and universal, there was nothing new to confuse.

A free kick is a very simple, basic practice in football, but triggers and reasons as to what on earth Mr. Mwepu was thinking could not be found, even after countless viewings of the tape.

Zaire's—now Dr Congo—debut could not leave them without humiliation by Yugoslavia, who embarrassed them with nine goals in a single match; the worst ever suffered defeat in a World Cup history by an African nation so far.

Their appearance paved ways to many African countries, such as Cameroon and Nigeria, who successfully went on to do better and lobbied for more African berths at the world's greatest football event on the planet.

Cameroon became the first ever African nation to make an impact, shockingly reaching the quarterfinals only to be knocked out by England in 1990. Their dominance in continental competitions in the 1980s and 2000s could not help, as the world stage has been very slippery for them, despite having a team boasting some of the finest and highly-skilled footballers around.

Many started leaning their hopes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, arriving and debuting in USA 1994, defiant on silverware, Nigeria showed character and great potential by causing tantrums among football power houses, with their lethal goal-scoring abilities. They were controversially booted out by the Italians, who went on to play the final and lose to Brazil on penalties.

1994 proved to be just the beginning of great things, as the talented Super Eagles went on to claim Africa's first football Olympic gold medal in Atlanta 1996, defeating Argentina and Brazil in the process; forging the shift of power in the world of football.

Hungry and hunting for another prestigious prize in France in 1998, World Cup Finals, the Super Eagles’ arrived as one of the hot favourites, and a thrilling victory against Spain in one of the greatest comeback in a World Cup Finals' history rose many eyebrows.

Distracted by reported misunderstandings within their camp, their hopes and dreams ended as the Danes escorted them out to terminals with a 4-1 defeat.

On the world map, Senegal is undoubtedly geographically easy to find, but a few years back, many people in the world could hardly continentally locate this historic country, let alone Dakar or even El Hadji Diouf, whose dazzling football skills and dribbling ability has been mesmerizing defenders around the world.

In the opening game of 2002 World Cup Finals tournament hosted by Japan and South Korea, Senegal became illustrious overnight, and El Hadji Diouf joined Pele’s house of stars, thanks to the team’s victory over, then champion, France.

Having rose to the occasion (Lions of Teranga) Senegal went on roaring, only to be caught lacking experience and composure by the Turks, who defeated them on quarterfinals.

Then, Germany 2006 World Cup Finals, three African nations made their dream debuts. Togo qualified under coach Stephen Keshi, a Nigerian former player who could not complete his mission, getting sacked just days before the main event.

And years of underachieving, despite boasting world-class players and world-rising youngsters, Ghana showed up, and Angola could not wait longer either, as they seized their chance, too.

The Ivorian team known as the elephants last taste of a glorious champaign was in Senegal in 1992's African Nations Cup, 18th edition. Their first appearance in a World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006 was well awaited, boasting a well-balanced complete team of quality players who play club football in Europe.

Even Pele, the greatest footballer of all time, could not hide his admiration of the team he believed was destined to land Africa its first ever World Cup trophy.

But with the elephants contesting a group with Holland, Serbia-Montenegro, and Argentina, all equally hot favourites to win the title, it was like climbing Kilimanjaro on crutches. And without World Cup experience, the team crashed out of the group and waved goodbye to the tournament.

Many major tournaments have seen many players moving to bigger clubs on big money, leaving them prized assets, egos, ignoring their national calls when needed most, but assuming duty when it suits them, especially on big occasions.

Continuation and big changes in big positions on the verge of major tournaments have also contributed massively to African football failures over the years, and lessons should have been learned. Some football administrators still rule by nepotism, tribalism, and dictatorship, while other football nations suffer greedy juggler administrators.

With preparations still looking well tardy, which makes resurrections and miracles even impossible, whether one African nation will be a serious contender or whether the jinx behind decades of failure is still alive, all remains a mystery.

Whether they will find the right remedies or not, it is still to be seen.

Laughable excuses of experiments during the African nations cup 2010 in Angola may come around, but unfortunately, no one will likely entertain them.

The fans are ready to cheer, jeer, and jive, and a riveting reception is awaiting the world on this vintage continent. The lions are roaring and the wonder of nature is part of the menu. Where the world's scarcest species like to take centre stage, in a continent vaunting with world unspoiled distinguished cultures.

The 2010 World Cup Finals hosting nation's—South Africa—success has been retrograding since 1996. Hosting the 20th African Nations Cup tournament without the then-withdrawal Nigerians, South Africa's Bafana Bafana prevailed and triumphant under the guidance of Clive Baker and the leadership of Neil Tovey, winning their first major trophy since readmitted to FIFA in 1992.

Failure to maintain and build on success followed, a disappointing World Cup debut in France, gave the team some exposures and experience, but other attempts in World Cup Finals proved fruitless. Getting used to second best in Africa became a custom.

Second to Egypt in Burkina Faso in 1998, then third in Nigeria and Ghana in 2000, could only be followed by a disappointing run in Mali in 2002, and a disgraceful show in Tunisia  in 2004, before tedious experimental talks by coach Ted Dumitru in Egypt in 2006.

The rebuilding by Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Pereira showed promises at Ghana, but whether his compatriot Joel Santana will have a team ready in time to compete for the big trophy is every African’s concern.

Africa's own records breaker, Egypt looks well set to keep the momentum and complement her remarkable success story, but qualifications are still underway. On the other side, Angola whose hopes are high, seems to be well on schedule, showing improvements in every occasion, just few years after civil war looked to have robbed the country its football prosperity.

Now, successfully rebuilding and waiting to host the 2010 African nations cup, Angola boasts a team capable of making another World Cup Final appearance.

But as history illustrates, even Brazil, the world's strongest football nation, the only nation to have won a World Cup outside their continent on more than one occasion, victory in their own backyard in front of a fully parked Maracana stadium in 1950s world cup final just went astray.

But like 15 May 2004, when Africa and South Africa celebrated the right to host the World Cup Finals, many will once again hold their breaths and expect Madiba’s magic to steal the show and keep the trophy in Africa.

Lessons have been learned, standards are higher and much better than in 1974, when Zaire made their debut, thanks to FIFA’s football projects that have contributed and continue to improve the standard of football in underprivileged regions around the world.