African group of death

Day -602. WorldCup2018

Something about the African qualifiers struck me a few days ago. Then my anger at the Maltese football mayhem happened, followed by Aston Villa's historic win and the delayed news that another former Fifa executive was banned.

I wondered how Spain and Italy ended up in what seemed the only group with two European powerhouses in it. Going through the African groups I realised that I hadn't really paid attention to the one group that has Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria in it. Only one team qualifies. There is no second chance for the second placed team. Cameroon have been qualifying for World Cups for as long as I can remember and have often been the neutrals' favourite. Their 7 appearances is 2 ahead of Nigeria who have been a joy to watch in recent Finals. And Algeria, who have qualified 4 times, were fantastic in 2014. They matched Germany in their last 16 match and only buckled after extra time.

There is no other group in Africa that has so many consistent World Cup performers together. Egypt and Ghana will have a good battle but despite all of Egypt's strong showings at the African Cup of Nations they've only been to the World Cup twice. Ivory Coast should, indeed, coast to first place. Senegal and South Africa will battle it out to win their group, relieved that they don't have to face one of Cameroon, Nigeria or Algeria.

Who will it be, Algeria, Cameroon or Nigeria? It's going to be a good fight and disappointing that not one, but two of them, won't be in Russia. (Bad) luck of the draw, I guess.