Former Moroko Swallows star Steven Sekano has claimed that no African team will ever play the semifinals in the FIFA World Cup anytime soon, despite Senegal and Morocco reaching the knockout stages.
Hakim Ziyech’s Morocco topped group F after beating Belgium who were second on the FIFAs rating at the time. In addition to also beating, Canada they played a goalless draw with the highly rated Croatia. Meanwhile, Senegal progressed to the knockout stages after winning two games, including thrashing the hosts, Qatar in group A.
Senegal will go head-to-head with the on-form England, while Morocco are set to battle with the highly praised Spain in the knockout stages of the elite competition.
The former Swallows’ player does not see any of the two teams proceeding to the semifinals, should they reach even the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
“I’m uncertain if any of these teams will ever get to the semifinals. I was hoping Ghana could do much better and go maybe to the semifinals,” Sekano tells Thisisfootball.Africa.
“Now Ghana is out. Senegal are good but when people like Sadio Mané are not there, there is not that level of motivation that you get from him. He is a big player who can motivate them. Now he’s not available, so it becomes much more difficult for Senegal.
“Qualifying to the quarterfinals for these teams will be a bonus. And if they do, it will also motivate them as well. But let’s hope for the best for our African teams, who are still there.”
Sekano also explained why the African teams keep on struggling in this tournament, pinpointing development as the main problem.
“You know development in Europe is taken seriously. When the player is 18 is already playing in big teams. You see in Brazil or Spain they have young players,” he explained.
“Here in Africa when you are 20, you are still young and in Europe at that age, that’s where you are matured, 18, 19 or 20 you are a big player.
“This is why our African countries are struggling in the World Cup. We don’t do much in our development.”
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