Russia 2018 World Cup: African football is declining- Osaze

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has blasted African teams for not lifting their game
at the FIFA World Cup.

Osaze whose mother hails from Russia is at the Russia 2018 World Cup as a television pundit.

He blasted African teams for not lifting their game and failed to reach the semifinal’s stage all this
while.

According to Osaze “There’s definitely been a decline,” said the former Nigeria international Peter
Odemwingie, who played at the last two World Cups and is now working as a BBC pundit in Russia.

“Nigeria had one of the best African squads ever at the 1994 World Cup. We were knocking on the door.

“We won the 1996 Olympics by beating Brazil and Argentina with all their stars. That period was like,
‘yes, it’s coming’.” Osaze disclosed.

But Senegal Coach Aliou Cisse disagreed with Osaze, “I’m certain that one day an African team, an
African country, will win the World Cup,” he said.

But it would take time, he added. “It’s a bit more complicated in our countries.

“We face realities that are not there in other continents,” he said, referring to infrastructure,
budget and organisational problems.

“But Africa is full of quality and we’re on the way. We fully trust our football, we have no hang-ups,”
Cisse added.

“I’m certain that one day an African team, an African country, will win the World Cup,” he said.

But it would take time, he added. “It’s a bit more complicated in our countries.

“We face realities that are not there in other continents,” he said, referring to infrastructure,
budget and organisational problems.

“But Africa is full of quality and we’re on the wmoay. We fully trust our football, we have no hang- ups,” Cisse added.