Pele's prediction haunts Africa

Pele's prediction that an African team would win the World Cup by the year 2000 is constantly quoted as evidence of the continent's failures on the international stage.

Something irks about that observation namely, it was made by Pele who, unlike Diego Maradona, has long since known which side his bread is buttered.

The Brazilian learned English and has perfected the art of telling people what they want to hear. In Korea he tells them he fancies their chances, in England the same. For this World Cup Pele tipped Mexico to triumph? in an interview with a Mexican TV station, of course.

So undue weight was given to a throwaway comment designed to curry favour with the continent, but which has done nothing but to add further pressure to African teams' chances in World Cups.

This time fate dealt the continent a cruel hand when its best team, the Ivory Coast, was drawn along side Argentina, Holland and Serbia.

They would probably have qualified from any other group and their strong performances bode well. A bit more coolness in front of goal and they could have progressed.

And minnows Togo, split by a cash dispute, did not disgrace themselves in narrowly going down to South Korea and Switzerland despite their off-field problems.

Angola are, to their credit, in with a shout of going through if they can see off Iran and if Portugal beat Mexico by two goals or more, both of which are possible results.

Tunisia impressed against Spain but will regret their second half shambles against Saudi Arabia which saw them draw that match.

They now face a straight shoot-out against Ukraine and must win the match by two goals, which is a tough ask but their destiny is at least in their own hands.

Ghana have the best chance of going through, with any win against the USA highly likely to be enough for them to shock either the Czech Republic or Italy. The Black Stars' win against the Czechs showed off the best of African football.

Their qualification would give Africa a confidence boost ahead of South Africa 2010 hosting the World Cup and perhaps be a step towards Pele's prediction coming true.