African national teams have been qualifying for the World Cup, but no team has ever got into the semi-finals. It could be a long shot with European teams being strong contenders, but the upcoming World Cup in Russia might change the fate of these five African football teams.

In 2010, Ghana almost made it at the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa against Uruguay. During penalty, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan failed to score, thus ending their chance of getting into the semis.

In 1990, Cameroon reached quarter-finals. The same thing happened to Senegal in 2002, but both teams lost during extra time. This year, the five African teams who qualified for the World Cup in Russia might just get further in the competition. These are Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria and Egypt.

TUNISIA

Despite appearing in five World Cup competitions, Tunisia hasn’t been able to get out of the group matches. The Carthage Eagles got in the group by winning all games, but their opponents were too strong. They’re now part of Group G which includes Panama, England, and Belgium which aren’t easy to beat.

SENEGAL

FIFA World ranking puts Senegal on the 23rd spot, making it the highest ranking out of all the African national teams that joined the World Cup. Despite the fact that this is only the second time for the Lions of Teranga to appear in the World Cup, online bookmakers offer bettors the best odds for Senegal. They defeated Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, and South Africa and qualified in Group H together with Poland, Colombia, and Japan.

MOROCCO

It was in 1998 that Morocco last played in the World Cup. After two decades, the Atlas Lions will once again play with pride in Russia, making this their fifth time to join FIFA World Cup. Morocco won every game against Mali, Gabon, and Ivory Coast, making them qualified for Group B together with Portugal, Spain, and Iran. Their current French trainer Herve Renard is the key in improving the team’s football skills and tactics. The said trainer helped Zambia and Ivory Coast win the Africa Cup twice in 2012 and 2015, respectively.

NIGERIA

Nigeria has been appearing in the World Cup. Now on their 6th time at the international football competition, they were able to beat Algeria, Zambia, and Cameroon. Because of their poor performance in the previous years, the Super Eagles were placed in what they call a “weaker pot” during the draw in Russia. They will be competing against Iceland, Croatia, and Argentina in Group D. So far, Nigeria is ranked below 50 for international football teams.

EGYPT

It was almost three decades ago when Egypt played in FIFA World Cup. In Africa, Egypt is considered to be the most successful national football team because of their unbeatable track record in the African Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs qualified for Russia by winning against Ghana, Uganda, and Republic of Congo. Though they only scored eight goals in six games, Egypt is considered to have the best starting position and they are physically strong. They are joining Russia, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group A.

Why would Africa not reach the semi-finals?

According to Volker Finke, former trainer of Cameroon national football team for World Cup 2014, an African team will not go very far due to clubs fighting over budgets. The common budget constraints are unpaid hotel bills and even fuel for teams’ buses.

Finke stressed “Ghana, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast clearly have better players than the North Africans. But the North Africans are more organized and structured, for instance when it comes to work within the associations or organizing training camps.”