World Soccer

AFRICA’S NEARLY MEN

Africa’s performances on the global stage at Under-17 and Under-20 levels have long underlined the continent’s standing as a hotbed of talent. Since the inaugural edition of the Under-17 World Cup in1985 (in its previous guise as the Under-16 World Championship), African nations have achieved medal finishes on 17 occasions – including seven wins – in 19 tournaments. In the Under-20 equivalent, there have been ten African medal finishes since1977, with Ghana claiming the title in 2009.

For all that, Africa has yet to translate that success into silverware on the world stage at senior level. The continent’s nations that have won medals at both youth-level tournaments have, at least, gone on to represent Africa at the senior World Cup or found joy at the Africa Cup of Nations – all, that is, but one. Both Nigeria and Ghana have made inroads at the World Cup, while Ivory

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