Aah good old err. I loved him. What a player. Always gave 110%.

I'm not anti-African in any way. If I appear to criticise any team then it's only because I think they could do even better.

In my opinion,

Algeria have enhanced their reputation.

Ivory Coast were decent but could really be even better with the quality of player they have available. If you asked most people which African team might come closest to making a mark on recent tournaments then I think most would go for them.

Ghana were decent.

Cameroon were quite poor.

Nigeria were decent.

Overall a decent outing for the continent. I would love to see one African team absolutely storm one of these world cups though. I'm a fan of football as a whole and I love seeing different teams do well.

Which team would most people guess would be the first African team to make the final and when? I'll take a punt at Egypt in 2026.

Another good question - what's the best national team Africa have sent to a world cup?

And another - how about an all-time XI?

Bollocks.

If Europe had as many World Cup final places available as Africa, England would never get into another world cup again. NEVER. Let that sink in. England are damned lucky that Europe is where the big money in football is, so they allocate as many places as possible for European teams.

The Costa Rica comparison is silly, but I suspect you know it. Shame you couldn't just be the bigger chap and congratulate Africa for getting two teams into the last 16. At least you've finally outed yourself as a hater, so we don't all have to pretend you are "concerned" about Africa with your bitterness about how they've performed in comparison to England.

Africa has made progress. England have gone backwards. As have Asia, which had two teams in the last 16 in the previous world cup, but none this time

Africa has made progress? It had Ghana in the quarter finals of the 2010 world cup, how many are there now? You can't say they are making progress when the facts show they aren't. They haven't lit up a world cup in decades like the article states, to suggest otherwise is plainly wrong.

As for their qualification places there were better European teams left out of qualification to let in teams like Cameroon. If they can qualify and get hammered in every game can you imagine your logic and letting in more African teams? A world cup with 13 African teams when the 5 best can't even get past the first knockout games? It would be a farce!

^^^^

The hate is strong within you, bro.

Good counter argument, I'm convinced.

Algeria were spectacular against Germany. Their manager is a tactical genius and the Algerian players fought like lions. Germany would have played England off the pitch as they did to Portugal.

Algeria are still out.

Never ever ever? Your suggestion that Europe 'buys' places is laughable. They're awarded more places because their club teams and leagues are infinitely better and contain greater strength in depth than Africa's. If Africa's players didn't have European (or American) leagues to play in, they'd be getting whipped 6-0 by the big boys every match. Get real.

Take a look at your own posts throughout this thread and ask yourself again who the 'bitter hater' is. You've clearly got a chip on your shoulder.