One of the indisputable facts about the FIFA World Cup is that every tournament has either been won by either a team from the host nation's continent, Brazil or Argentina.
If you follow this logic, therefore, only Brazil or one of the six African nations will lift the trophy in Johannesburg on 11th July.
According to bookmaker Paddy Power, the African team with the best chance is the Ivory Coast. The bookmaker offers odds of 28/1 for the Elephants win in South Africa. Despite boasting some of the continent's best players in Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue and brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast were disappointing in the African Cup of Nations winning just one match before their quarter final defeat to Algeria.
They also have the problem of facing both Brazil and Portugal in Group G in the summer. Despite their talent, I think it could be a struggle for the talented side to even reach the World Cup knockout stages.
The team with the best chance could be the host nation South Africa. Despite their lowly FIFA ranking, the team's brave performances in 2009's Confederations Cup - where late goals resulted in defeats to Spain and Brazil - gave the country heart. No host nation has ever failed to get past the first round of a World Cup and with a bit of luck and the momentum a host nation often benefits from in a major tournament, they could surprise one or two people.
Nigeria's semi-final defeat at the African Cup of Nations was their fourth defeat at that stage of the competition in five attempts and they will also need to improve by the summer. With Argentina, South Korea and Greece in Group B they do have a chance of progressing although they will probably run into France or England at the early stages of the knockouts.
Algeria looked awful in their opening 3-0 defeat to Malawi at the African Cup of Nations before recovering to finish fourth. Victories over Mali and the Ivory Coast were promising before their meltdown against Egypt where they finished the match with just eight men. I think the Desert Foxes will find it tough against England and the USA.
Ghana were also handed a tough draw in South Africa, being pooled alongside Germany, Australia and Serbia. However, their gutsy performance in Angola should give them great confidence and they were just a few minutes away from taking the Cup of Nations final to extra time. If Michael Essien remains fit they could be one to watch in South Africa.
Cameroon boast the best record of any African nation at the World Cup although this is not a vintage Indomitable Lions side. Whilst they may be good enough to see off Japan in Mangaung, their matches against Denmark and Holland will be crucial.
Verdict
Whilst the bookmakers may believe Ivory Coast have the best chance of all the African nations, none of them look good enough to challenge the top sides. The best chances of some African success come with the hosts South Africa and a gutsy, organised Ghana side.
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