Defining Moments For Africa At The FIFA World Cup
By Peter CThe Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup is nearer than ever, and so far, the qualification process from the African continent has been a fascinating one.
Although no single African team has ever won the World Cup, the continent’s countries have produced some very memorable moments ever witnessed in the history of the tournament.
We have put together some defining moments for the African continent in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Significant moments
- The formation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) took place in 1957.
- Morocco became the first African country to represent the continent in 1970.
- In 1974, Zaire emerged as the first sub-Saharan country to qualify and represent Africa at the World Cup.
- Africa won her first game at the Mundial in 1978 via Tunisia. The North African side ensured victory over Mexico to achieve the feat.
- In 1986, Morocco led the table that included Portugal, England, and Poland although the North Africans lost to West Germany in the second round.
- South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup, the first by an African team. Ghana was seconds from becoming the first African side to reach the semifinals of the World Cup but Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty ended the high hopes.
- In 2002, Senegal overcame defending champions France to qualify for the quarter-finals.