WORLD CUP SPECIAL The African butted trio: disappointed or expected?

The rough shafts has been distilled from the fine grains of wheat. The vanquished will be waved home while the victors would be ushered into the next drill, a more precarious and challenging pedestal otherwise known as the knockout stage or better still: the round of 16 - Where only the winner, alone, takes all and edge closer to the much coveted gold plaited FIFA World Cup trophy.

Across the Atlantic, sailed all five African teams: The Super Eagles of Nigeria; Indomitable Lions of Cameroon; Black Stars of Ghana; Elephant of Cote d'Iviore and the Fennec Foxes of Algeria. Bringing along much promises; amidst a glamourous beckoning of hope mixed with tenancious aspiration, hunger and despiration for a better - more appreciable outing. A tournament that would be fairer than any the continent had ever witnessed, nobler than the African people would ever exhalt and progressive than any Black footballing nation would ever attain.

After a forthnight of intense battle to lay claim at the zenith of their respective groups, only two teams: Nigeria and Algeria made it beyond the threshold of the group stage. The rest took a premature bow out of the tournament, however, not without an ugly compilation of controversies and thoughtless embarrasing exhibitions. The cameroon nationals had the most lackluster performance judging by the fact that they crashed out devoid of a win, a draw and invariably without single point to it name.
The Ghanians Black stars had to boycott training over unpaid appearance fee which led to a defeat afterwards in the match against Portugal. They crowned their exit with the rustication of two senior players: Sulley Montari and Prince Boetang over internal strife between players and manager. The Ivorians however were a little more commendable than the others but got butted out anyway

Despite the initial high flying faiths Africans had maintained in their name, the Indomitable Lions became the tamest animal in the forest of Brazil 2014 World Cup. Their tactics were most predictable, lame and vulnerable to the swam of attacks from their opponent. Conceeding 9 goals in three games speaks volume of a paralytic defence - porous and open-mouthed. The team obviously degraded into a launch pad giving opposing nations a soft landing in their progression into the most competive stage of the tournament. The onfield display of the cameroon especially the brutish attitude towards opposition and amazingly themselves too, characterised an entirely abysmal performance. One defining unsavoury moment where Assou-Ekotto planted head-butt on Moukandjo calls for much pondering on if indeed this team have the moral and psychological maturity to represent Africa at the World. stage.

The Ghana Black Stars gave a rather "black" attitude towards patrotism which ought to be the hallmark of all representation at a world event like the FIFA World Cup. Needless to say, they have been kicked out alreay albeit it's still disgraceful that most African government and players alike tend to have an issue with money or maybe distrust which by extention tampers with morale and output.
$3 million had to navigate from the west African gold coast through to Brazil before the players agreed to lace their boot again for their fatherland. Unfortunately that money did little or nothing to elongate the team's participation beyond the group stage as they lost to Portugal in the last group match.
More also, several inhouse troubles and allegations of assault saw two key men Muntari and Boetang sent home unceremöiously. The dream came to a close afterwards

Would it be logical to conceed that the Ivorian national team are, well, unlucky?! They come with great expectation. They had the team; they had the relative tranquility and the big names too, but they hardly ever come out ontop in any competition. Some says the Drogha era is possessed by the legions of illluck. Others believes that despite celebrated calibres of players and momentum they command, they lack a collective spirit that can triumph in the team game of football. Perhaps the much talked about unspoken rivalry amogst some high profile players may well be the hidden devil behind the Elephant's unending misfortune Anyway, they are out of the World Cup challenge, completing the African butted trio from Brazil.

I'm disappointed! What about you?