Is Africa ready for the world?

Africa's Year at FIFA looks set for a grandstand finish in South Africa from June 11 - July 11. Finally the world gets to experience the quintessential football treat, that has been four years in coming.

This completes a quartet of Africa-hosted Fifa tournaments spanning June 2009 to June 2010. They are the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the U-20 World Cup in Egypt, the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, and now the bill-topping quadrennial showpiece in South Africa.

So far Africa has grabbed its chance with both hands. Host South Africa were fourth in the Confed Cup, Ghana won the continent's first ever U-20 title, while Nigeria came up just short in the final match of the U-17 tournament.

Without a doubt the World Cup is the mother-of-all-battles. It is the first time it is being staged in Africa and the first time the continent will have six representatives.

But is the continent finally ready for the big prize?

ALGERIA

Les Fennecs have arguably the easiest draw of the African teams. However an unimpressive Nations Cup campaign, injury concerns, a poor finish to the season by key players, and a lame 3:0 bashing by Ireland in a Dublin friendly recently, have not inspired much confidence in Rabah Saadane and his troops.


CAMEROON

Lacking a creative playmaker and a resolute defence, Paul Le Guen's Lions have struggled to impose themselves on games lately. A poor Nations Cup, followed by two lame 0:0 draws against Italy and Georgia, as well as new infighting between Eto'o and Milla can't bode well for the team.



COTE D'IVOIRE

A rude awakening at the Nations Cup jolted perennial underachievers Ivory Coast to pull the emergency lever. Sven-Goran Eriksson replaced Halilhodzic as boss, and Romaric was recalled to fill a playmaking void. The challenge lies in getting the Didier Drogba-led squad of megastars to play for one another, and thankfully, the sounds are encouraging.


GHANA

The injury problems are back. Michael Essien is out, and his likely replacement Agyemang-Badu, and defender John Mensah are a worry. Ghana missed seven first team regulars to injury at the Nations Cup, but still made the final. The World Cup will be a different ball game. The return of the regulars and addition of new talents like Boateng, Tagoe and Owusu-Abeyie will help.


NIGERIA

A wobbly ride to bronze at the Nations Cup didn't win the Super Eagles any plaudits. Swedish coach Lars Lagerback was brought in to clean up the mess, but is faced with shambolic preparations and unfit players. For neutrals, indeed all, but the rabid optimists, it does not look too bright for the Eagles, but a relatively kind draw could help.





SOUTH AFRICA

Carlos Parreira has managed to steady, and redirect, a rudderless boat headed for the rocks. Since taking over in November the team has been unbeaten, but has yet to face real opposition. With a soft defence and a blunt attack, Bafana Bafana will need its big heart, and the vuvuzelas, to make the desired impact.