Augustine Eguavoen is convinced Africa stands a genuine shot at lifting the World Cup for the first time, and the continent’s results in the United States, Mexico and Canada have only sharpened that belief, Foootynaija.com reports.
Ten African nations made the trip to this year’s tournament, and the early returns have been eye-catching. Morocco held pre-tournament favourites Brazil to a goalless draw, Ivory Coast got the better of Ecuador, debutants Cape Verde frustrated former champions Spain, and DR Congo shared the points with a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal.
For Eguavoen, those scorelines are not freak occurrences. They are proof the old hierarchy in world football no longer holds.
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Speaking in a report by Flashscore, the former Nigeria coach put it plainly.
“What we saw like three or four editions back at the World Cup, you could clearly say that Brazil would win it, Argentina would win, Spain or Germany, but it’s not so anymore. We’re closing the gap, so I believe Africa has a real chance,” he said.
He pointed to the European exposure of African players as the driving force behind the shift, noting that most now play and train daily alongside the continent’s traditional giants, removing any element of surprise when they meet on the biggest stage.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the traditional football powerhouses doesn’t win the tournament,” he added.
“Every top team now has an equal chance.”
Asked to single out Africa’s best hope for a deep run, he refused to commit to one name, citing the contrasting styles across the continent and the unpredictability of each group draw. He did, however, single out Hugo Broos for praise, drawing on his own history coaching against the Belgian in club football.
“He’s done a good job with South Africa, who also have some very talented players.”
On Nigeria’s own absence from the tournament, Eguavoen kept his comments forward-looking rather than mournful.
“No one is happy that we are not at the World Cup, but it is what it is,” he said, before adding that the focus must shift immediately.
“I think the best we can do is put this World Cup miss behind us and start preparing for the next one now, because the earlier we do that, the better for us.”
