Late Ghost Haunts African Teams
Egypt national team surrendered a two-goal advantage against Argentina in the dying minutes of the FIFA World Cup round of 16.
The Pharaohs were leading in the 79th minute when the Lionel Messi-led team struck back in one of the best
comebacks of the world’s most popular game.
Argentina’s goals from C. Romero 79′, L. Messi 83′ and E. Fernandez 93’+ cancelled Egypt’s Y. Ibrahim 15′ and M. Ziko 67′ goals of the hotly contested match.
The defeat summed up the growing frustrations of late goals conceded by African teams in such a major tournament.
Just the other day, Senegal blew a two-goal lead to Belgium in the dying minutes of the last 32knockouts.
Congo, an African team in the tournament, were also a victim of late goals against England in a game that was destined to a comfortable win.
Football pundits say that most of the African teams lack situational awareness in the last quarter of these World Cup matches, a technical thing that coaches must realize.
Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa, debutants Cape Verde, and DR Congo all represented Africa in the most lovable game.
However, Morocco is the only African team still in the tournament a waiting a fierce encounter with tournament favourite France.
Many Africans fans are crossing their fingers to rebuke the ghost of late switch off in the quarter finals.
