AFRICAN TEAMS ARE ENEMIES OF THEIR OWN

By Robin Toskin

Sao Paulo: From internal strife, big egos, cartels within their squads, and strong opponents, African teams have their backs on the wall at this World Cup.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has had to step in to resolve a clash of egos between John Obi Mikel and Emmanuel Emenike.

Keshi has had to deal with another big ego in Osaze Odemwingie, who has been recalled after being over for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Odemwingie’s differences go back to 2012 in Rwanda when he was substituted early, which he has since admitted was a mistake to throw tantrums. “Coach Keshi took over and in the first game I was subbed quite early, which I’ve never been used to because I always played 90 minutes, both for club and national team,” Odemwingie said while explaining his differences with Keshi.

African players are notorious for challenging the authority of their coaches back home while towing the line when facing European coaches.

Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o is facing a barrage of criticism for leading a strike just before they agreed to board the plane to Brazil with some newspapers back home calling it “treason.”

Eto’o’s former teammate at Real Madrid and Anzhi Makhachkala Roberto Carlos recently criticised him saying: “I’ve known Eto’o since he was 16. He’s a good person and I’ve always liked him, but he always thinks of himself, not the group, which can be really damaging.

“It’s quite confusing and odd when a footballer, instead of playing, is interested in bringing in players who are his friends. He did everything at Anzhi, except play football,” Carlos told Globoesporte.

The Cameroonian players insisted to be paid their dues amounting to $104,000 each and even declined to receive the country’s flag.

In addition, the players demanded $12,000 more from the local football association, Fecafoot, from the World Cup prize money despite it being disbursed three months after the tournament.

Prime Minister Philemon Yang was forced to hand the flag to their German coach Volker Finke instead.

Captain Samuel Eto’so and company did not cover themselves in glory with below par performance against Mexico.

In fact, they will have to thank Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan for chalking off two legitimate goals by Giovanni dos Santos.

The Indomitable Lions must now beat Croatia in Manaus and Brazil in Brasilia to stand a realistic chance of advancing from the group.

Slowly, but steadily, Cote d’Ivoire coach Sabri Lamouchi is breaking up the influence wielded by veterans Didier Zokora, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure.

Lamouchi was the first coach to bench Drogba at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and also kept him on the bench on Sunday against Japan in their 2-1 win over the Nippon Boys.

So powerful are the veterans within the Elephants squad that clubless Zokora has to make the squad. Yaya Toure has insisted to play the full 90 minutes even when he is injured or exhausted.