Last night, Argentina got past Egypt in a dramatic late surge to score 3 goals in 13 minutes to floor the Afro-Arabs and reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup. Though the Egyptians received a lot of praise for their performance, the fact remained that they had been knocked out of the competition after being ahead by two goals.
There was a similar story when Senegal, one of the finest sides to have come from the African continent, crumbled in 3 minutes to surrender a two-goal advantage to Belgium. The Red Devils then ploughed one more to snatch victory and send the Africans home. Rudi Garcia, Belgium’s manager, made a telling statement. He said he knew these African teams and how they tend to lose shape at the end. For him, what Belgium did to Senegal was nothing surprising. It was bound to happen that way.
DR Congo, in its match against England, scored first and held on for a long, long time, but in the end, two strikes from Harry Kane finished the match and sent Congo packing to Africa. Algeria, as well, surrendered tamely to Switzerland despite a good show in the Group Stage and departed with a whimper. Ghana, too, a proud footballing nation, could hardly score, and though they made it to the Round of 32, trust me, they never looked like going forward.
I am at my wit’s end to understand this pattern from the African teams in particular. Do they lack quality as suggested by Rudi Garcia?. I do not agree.
The African teams have defended brilliantly and without a doubt have some of the best goalkeepers in the business. The goals which they scored have been a treat to watch too. The second goal by Egypt ( including the one which was controversially disallowed), was a spectacular field goal. Argentina’s defence was pierced and pulverised. Ismaila Sarr’s goal for Senegal against Belgium was top class too, and there have been several such goals in the competition.
I have, however, understood. Rudy Garcia was actually not referring to the quality of the teams; he was making a statement on their self-belief, which I totally agree with.
Garcia knew that Senegal were to crumble; it was just a matter of time. So it happened to Egypt and to Congo and to Algeria too. They just did not have self-belief. Winning against the superpowers of football is too much of an ask for these football teams.
They play brilliantly, but just cannot believe that they can win and upset a big nation. They appear to be more than happy to give a good fight, get a pat on the back, get some sympathies and condolences and leave with their heads held high, so to speak. Winning and moving forward and taking on the World to win the Cup is nothing but a fabulous daydream, which they also don’t pursue.
The years and years of deprivation and colonisation have taken a massive toll on their psyche and self-belief, which is so painful to comprehend. Egypt has been a great civilisation and may not be a part of this deprivation, which makes their loss to Argentina even more intriguing.
There is, however, a silver lining in the form of Morocco and Cape Verde, which have shown exceptional resilience and a steely resolve to defy the odds. Morocco will play France in the quarterfinals, an opponent which once indirectly governed them. No wonder the Atlas Lions will be tested, not only for their quality but also for their resolve and self-belief. A response needs to be given to Rudi Garcia.
I hope Achraf Hakimi and his team are listening.
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