Segun Oluwaniyi

It's not that I actually don't understand how things are calculated. It was a misstatement tbh, the pots just really surprised me. I thought France would have been regarded a lot more highly numerically given their performances over the last few years. It is probably just that these other teams have been picking up consistently good results I hadn't noticed.

I don't understand how France ended up as the last ranked European side, tbh. Their record is much more impressive than say, Bosnia (who are ranked above them) during the past four years (which is what FIFA takes into account).

Twenty years is nearly the entirety of the African presence on the world stage, so that comment either makes no sense or is irrelevant. Why barring Ghana? Because of close victories over the United States for two tournaments? In their two group stage exits Ivory Coast have collected 0 points from Brazil, Argentina, and Holland, 1 point from Portugal, and 6 points from Serbia and North Korea. Not exactly informative results. Even Nigeria, we lost to Argentina 1-0 in the first matches of our last two matches, took the lead in the second, had things go pearshaped and it was done. WC is quick, luck matters a lot. I back Japan (none of the other Asian sides, though) to be very competitive in Brazil, but I also back CIV, Nigeria, and Ghana. Algeria and Cameroon are less likely, just because the talent isn't as strong. Ghana have had a lot of great results in their last 2 world cup and not only 2 wins vs. USA. They beat a very good Czech team in Germany, and Serbia's golden generation team in South Africa. Narrowly lost to Germany, and were a Suarez handball away from the Semis. They deserve a lot of respect. And the dominance they showed in absolutely destroying Egypt definitely makes them Africa's best bet to make an impact on the world stage. Nigeria had a weird showing in 2010. They lost their first 2 game narrowly (second one after going a man down), but were still a shocking Yakubu miss away from qualifying to next round. What's gotten me is the dislike and discontent towards Lars Lagerback for Nigeria's performance in 2010. If Nigeria were simply unlucky, why is he getting such a bad reputation for that? Since you're from there, it'd be interesting to hear the Nigerian fan's opinion of 2010 campaign. You guys seem to be a lot better this time around, and as I said, I think you'll have a better showing. Thankfully, this world cup Asia won't have a team who will embarrass the continent (Saudi 8-0, and North Korea 7-0 spring to mind), so I'm just comparing their relative impact compared to those of Africa. I get the vibe that African football gets a lot of more hype than Asian football, and I believe it's due to the fact that more African players play their trade in top European leagues compared to Asians. I think it's a lot closer between the two continents. As you said though, it depends on the draw. I'd like to see a lot of head-to-head type games between Africa and Asia. In 2010, the record went 1 win for either side and 2 draws. The 2010 World Cup was an abject failure on and off the pitch. I am serious when I say that it disgusts me to even talk about it. The capitulation against a terrible Greece team was one of the most shameful things I have ever seen. It is not Lagerback's fault. It was the second consecutive WC that they sacked the manager and hired a new one 3 months before the tournament. both times it lead to chaos, and the Swede clearly had no idea what the hell he was doing. Lagerback is hated because he clearly only took the job because he saw naive African money (not his fault, our fault) and then jilted the NFF by email when they offered him another chance. Only, the two keepers, Ideye, Uwa, and Mikel Obi from that squad have been regulars in 2013, and Ideye was only called to 2010 as an injury replacement. (I don't agree with it, but I understand) The team is better, younger, and more athletic this time. I am hopeful. Asia is fine, but there is not much depth on that continent. I think Japan and South Korea are serious teams for the foreseeable future, but who else is there? Teams 3-15 are much stronger in Africa, imo. As I said, I don't see much difference between the big Africa sides, second tier Euro and SA sides, Jap and SK, and Mexico/US. I think it is much of a muchness after the first few teams and a lot will be decided by close matches and bounces of the draw balls.

Twenty years is nearly the entirety of the African presence on the world stage, so that comment either makes no sense or is irrelevant. Why barring Ghana? Because of close victories over the United States for two tournaments? In their two group stage exits Ivory Coast have collected 0 points from Brazil, Argentina, and Holland, 1 point from Portugal, and 6 points from Serbia and North Korea. Not exactly informative results. Even Nigeria, we lost to Argentina 1-0 in the first matches of our last tournaments, took the lead in the second, had things go pearshaped and it was done. WC is quick, luck and draw matters a lot for all middling teams. I back Japan (none of the other Asian sides, though) to be very competitive in Brazil, but I also back CIV, Nigeria, and Ghana. Algeria and Cameroon are less likely, just because the talent isn't as strong.

The differences in teams ranked from about 12 to 28, with the exception of Australia, are pretty negligible, imo.

Welbeck's high work rate selfless play on the left side suits Hodgson's system more than Sturridge. I can't see Rooney and Sturridge both shining together while playing 4-4-2, and sacrifice has to be made, and the superior player is of course Rooney. Welbeck on the other hand, competes with likes of Milner/Chamberlain/Young for the LF spot, and I think he fits it better than his competitors. Looks good for Sammy's future chances for England, though it'd be canny of Nigeria called him up on Shola's advise for the WC. No it wouldn't. I don't think Sammy has the quality to ever be a mainstay for either of his nations. Both have many players with identical styles of play. I think Sammy is a player who will eventually spend his time shuttling between the 15th to 30th leveled teams in England. Yo-yo player. Talented but not enough. Sturridge has been the best forward in England from the time he stepped foot on Merseyside until now, and by some distance, imo. England need to find a place for him.

Players lacking enough caps also get international clearance all of the time. The criteria are inconsistent and corrupt.

There was a sub limit in a random international friendly?

I wish that Puma would make our kits. Adidas just give us the same nondescript green shirt with slightly different white lines. Nike's kit from 2002 might have been ugly, but it least it was interesting and unique. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/24/article-1280986-005371F400000258-813_468x331.jpg

Aubameyang.

Burkina Faso should be there, except for the aforementioned robbery. I would have enjoyed seeing them or Zambia on the world stage. Still, the teams that qualified are essentially the continents greatest powers, with the notable exception of Egypt. It is the same because these are the best they have to offer.

I'm just looking at the qualified sides, and Cameroon is the lowest ranked team, and even they are in the fifties. There are no real outsiders this time. Even the only new nation, Bosnia, has great players and is only counted as a first timer because of historical circumstance.

England people must be incredibly spoiled if they think their team is so rubbish they shouldn't follow it.

Ukraine look like they have no business at this stage of the competition. They were very good in the first leg.

Who rates him as a "top, top player?" He's been a very highly regarded player ever since he broke through. Many thought he could be one the very best in the world when he broke through, but PSG were fine with getting rid of him because he was sloppy and prone to stupid errors at times.

Sakho is overrated in terms of being a top, top player, but he definitely would have been perfect for NUFC at this time.

The funny part about these two legged ties, is that France is celebrating wildly, but nothing has changed for Ukraine. A goal still sends them to the World Cup. Tense times.

Like they care about that. They've could've just as easily have folded. They knew after the first leg that they weren't going through. Egypt are a powerhouse nation. No place for moral victories, imo. Very annoyed that Algeria have managed to qualify again. I thought Burkina Faso would complete a West African (give or take Cameroun) quintet for Brazil. We came close.

If Valbuena is available, Nasri should never start for France.

This is incredible to watch.

They also need not to concede against a very good counter attacking side. They only need two in the 90, there is no reason to lose sense. I pray that they dropped Nasri, though. I don't know why Put has left Bance on the bench. They cannot hold the ball up.

Fantastic match. Both teams really wanted to win. Naija definitely tired towards the end, though. I question the logic of having people like Obi Mikel, Onazi, and Oboabona plays 180 minutes of football during the course of about 50 hours over two continents. It seems unnecessary and I doubt clubs will be pleased with that. Still, I enjoyed. Shola played with "mackem" energy today as well.

SHOLA OFF!! The guy was actually good to be fair. Nice performance.

Who may have guessed that defenders from Warri Wolves, Sunshine Stars, and Heartland FC may struggle against Balotelli? I'm fine with this beating upcoming, The first half was very enjoyable. Tell your fans to stop abusing Ogbonna. Diego Costa will get much worse in a few months. He would have known it was coming.

Who may have guessed that defenders from Warri Wolves, Sunshine Stars, and Heartland FC may struggle against Balotelli? I'm fine with this beating upcoming, The first half was very enjoyable.