International football takes centre stage from 14 June – 15 July as the 21st edition of the Fifa World Cup commences in Russia.
With most leagues concluded and players done with club duties, national teams that sealed qualification to the world’s biggest football tournament are shaping up in a bid to claim the 5 kilogram-weighed trophy.
Africa’s representatives Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, will aim at being the first African team to qualify to the semi finals of the World Cup.
Yesterday Coach Gernot Rohr shared his thoughts ahead of today's warm up against Czech Republic. It's Match day. 2pm #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/0rxXyPyBP7
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) June 6, 2018
The top stars are gearing up for Russia; Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal, Lionel Messi aims at winning a major title for the senior side of Argentina, Neymar’s challenge is to erase the 2014 heartbreak suffered at the hands of champions Germany and Die Mannschaft will defend their title with Toni Kroos conducting the ochestra with his apt midfield play.
For Africa, Mohammed Salah leads Egypt to their first World Cup after 28 years, Sadio Mane will be poised to improve the Teranga Lions’ stupendous display of 2002, played in Japan and South Korea – Senegal reached the quarter finals in their first appearance.
📷🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/CHfcc6WZoJ
— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 5, 2018
Nigeria’s current squad has Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Chelsea’s Victor Moses and Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa (on loan at CSKA Moscow).
Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia and Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri will hope to improve their teams performance at the flagship tournament. The Atlas Lions boast of a round 16 qualification in 1986 while the Carthage Eagles have never qualified from the group stage.
Après la période de repos (un jour et demi) accordée par Hervé Renard, les joueurs de l'@EnMaroc s'apprêtent à reprendre l'entraînement. pic.twitter.com/pitSRcOhYu
— Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 6, 2018
But as Africa football enthusiasts await what their representatives will exhibit at the Russia 2018 World Cup, some African clubs will have keen interest as well.
There are 23 players who play their club football in the 54-nation continent at the World Cup. So who are these players and which clubs are they at?
Nigeria: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United).
Senegal: Khadim Ndiaye (AC Horoya).
Morocco: Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger).
Tunisia: Rami Bedoui (ES Sahel), Ali Maaloul (Al-Ahly), Yassine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek), Ahmed Khalil (Club Africain), Ghaylene Chaalali (ES Tunis), Anice Badri (ES Tunis), Saber Khalifa (Club Africain).
Egypt: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Ayman Ashraf (all Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Tarek Hamed, (Zamalek), Mahmoud Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdallah Said (Al Ahli).
Most of these players might not start for their national teams in Russia; but for their clubs, a call-up for their lads means they will earn from Fifa’s Club Benefit Programme. There’s also a perfect opportunity to trade their stars from a “World Cup player bargain” position.
