The USA are back to back champs. Even though European nations are making progress, substance must always trump style.

Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Allie Long celebrate during the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Victory Parade and City Hall Ceremony on July 10, 2019 in New York City.

(July 9, 2019 - Source: Getty Images North America)

Introduction

Over the past few months leading to the global showpiece that is the FIFA World Cup, the women’s football fraternity has been filled with both inspiration and disappointing news. Some of the issues caused an international uproar while a fair share caused the rest of the world to take a pause, sit back and critically think of the issues that are affecting our societies. We saw Ada Hegerberg refuse to appear in the 2019 World Cup because of a dispute between her and the Norwegian football federation over the amount of resources availed to the national team. Some fans were of the persuasion that the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner feels like she has gotten bigger than the Norwegian national team whereas others did agree that maybe it was time we looked at how our governments prioritize what women do. Even after we went past that wave of the tournament proceeding without Ada on the field, there were still more complaints about it. It was firstly, the fact that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was introduced very close to the world cup which did not give players and coaches enough time to get used to the revolutionary equipment that is meant to improve the quality of refereeing decisions. There was also the general misconception that the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) was a counterfeit of the men’s World Cup and its credibility got questioned by some. Cameroon’s “childish” behavior during their match against England in the round-of-16 and the “exaggerated” celebrations in the USWNT’s 13-0 win over Thailand also brought a lot of interesting conversations on the streets. In the midst of all that, nothing could stop the ladies from giving their best and we got to the end of the tournament where we saw the United States Women’s National team win the WWC for the fourth time, which is more than any other national team has won it. We want to analyse what this means for women’s football and think through some of the structures that have been put in place that enable the level of excellence shown by the USWNT.

“ Their win has brought even more attention to this crucial conversation in the society and given the champions and the rest of the world, more evidence to further their cause.”

— Simiso Shabangu, FirstTouch Africa

Lieke Martens, Stefanie van der Gragt, Vivianne Miedema and Anouk Dekker of the Netherlands make a defensive wall during the Final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 between Netherlands and Denmark at FC Twente Stadium on August 6, 2017 in Enschede, Netherlands.

(Aug. 5, 2017 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

USWNT winning formula over the years

When you win once, it could easily be discarded as odds being in your favor, but if you do it multiple times, then it means excellence has become part of your DNA. How that excellent character comes to life can only be as a result of intentional and systematic efforts in the form of structures put in place, enabling that kind of behavior. Here’s some of them:

 1.Thriving local soccer leagues and international exposure

The U.S. has generally invested a lot into structures such as the university soccer leagues that do not only enable the identification of talent, but allows this talent to be groomed into the powerhouse that the national team has become. A report by College Choice proves that soccer has become a key part of college life in the US spanning across decades. This places the country far ahead of any other country that they get to meet at the world cup. In essence, preparation for the world cup does not begin a few days before, but begins decades before the ladies get to hit the field.

Lucy Bronze of England celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Stade Oceane on June 27, 2019 in Le Havre, France.

(June 26, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

 Beyond the university leagues, there are also thriving local leagues that challenge the players to put on their A-game all the time. Leagues like the Women’s Premier Soccer League and the National Women’s Soccer League have become the breeding ground for talent in the US and even the go to destination for foreign players. Some of their players also get to play in other leagues outside of the country where they are chiseled into legends of excellence. Local leagues have raised stars that include Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan. As a national team, they have also always participated in the SheBelieves Cup, and numerous international friendlies. This goes to prove that you cannot build a great team without exposure to opportunities that yield continuous growth.

 2. Deeply inculcated “winning” mindset

The kind of attitude and character that has also been inculcated into the team is that of ruthlessness and unrelenting at all times. Only a team that has been groomed to be like that can polarize opinion by scoring 13 goals against Thailand and still play like they are trailing. This attitude is also supported by prominent voices in the US space that are calling for equal pay in the game and the investment of resources into growing women’s soccer in the US. Equally ingrained in the Stars & Stripes’ drive is the innate desire to want to excel at something they started. As one of the initial pioneers of the WC, it is not a surprise that the US have maintained that level of excellence over the years. They got to learn the winning formula way before anybody else joined the game.

 Setting a precedence and inviting others in

The 2019 world cup victory is actually not just for the USWNT, but extends to women’s soccer in general. Regional competitions like the Total Women Africa Cup of Nations and the UEFA Women’s Euro Cup have also gained prominence in the field. Their contribution to the development of talent in the game can never be overstated. Players who participate in these tournaments become the cornerstones and jewels of their national teams. The bigger wave of women empowerment across the world that advocates for women’s equal inclusion in sports is also something that is contributing to the exponential growth of women’s football. For example, Procter & Gamble donated $529K to further bridge the gender pay gap in U.S soccer. Other countries like France and the Netherlands have heeded the call for inclusion in sports and have made substantial investments in their local leagues.

 The investment in local leagues explains why the USWNT did not cruise through the tournament but faced fierce competition from Spain, England and France. Even Alex Morgan attested to the competitive nature of the 2019 finals by stating that “I think during the tournament it’s more emotionally exhausting. After, we are actually so sleep deprived — like it’s physically exhausting.” That exhaustion was a sign of how hard that win must have come for the US because other teams were equally determined to win the championship too.

Amandine Henry of France celebrates her team's second goal with team mates during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between France and Brazil at Stade Oceane on June 23, 2019 in Le Havre, France.

(June 22, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

 Even the progress of the African teams that were at the tournament highlighted the bigger conversation about the growing and maturing nature of the women’s game across the world. For the first time in history, two African teams, namely Cameroon and Nigeria, advanced to the knockout stages. The only team that could understandably not advance were debutants, South Africa. The improvement can also be accorded to the fact that African players are now able to play in other leagues outside of Africa. For example, Thembi Kgatlana plays for Beijing BG Phoenix F.C. in the Chinese Women's Super League while Asisat Oshoala is blessing Barcelona Femmine with her presence. Such exposure gives them a feel of how the game is played on other sides of the world way before they go to international tournaments like the World Cup. In our past article, we gave a detailed analysis of how impressively unbeatable Lyon has become. Since it is an international club with players from diverse nationalities, their spirit, drive and energy is able to spread across to other countries as well.

 The world has also been impressed by players such as Thembi Kgatlana who was named the 2018 CAF’s Footballer of the Year and Hegerberg who has gone to be the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or. More notably, there is also a rise in the quality of coaches who offer technical support to their teams. Some legends have returned through their teams today. For example, former Manchester United legend Phil Neville is now managing England.

Alex Morgan of the USA is challenged by Lucy Bronze, Jade Moore and Nikita Parris of England during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between England and USA at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France.

(July 1, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe

 Why USWNT’s win is important for women’s football

One thing we have gotten used to is the influence of the U.S. on the affairs of other countries. If the idea of equal attention, pay and investment in sports is successful in the U.S., it can then trickle down to other countries. Their win has brought even more attention to this crucial conversation in society and given the champions and the rest of the world, more evidence to further their cause. Other prominent figures like Megan Rapinoe who got both the Golden Ball award as the World Cup’s best player and the Golden Boot as its leading scorer have grabbed the attention of President Trump who was quoted saying, “the conversation is no longer about should we have equal pay, or should we be supporting women. It’s how do we support not only athletes but women in general.” The involvement of newspapers and cash donations from companies like Secret Deodorant have also given this discourse more positive attention.

 Conclusion

We can never congratulate the USNWT team enough, not just for the win but the consistent excellence. It has helped the rest of us recognize and appreciate the true meaning of commitment and being deliberate about setting ourselves up for success. We have seen that the U.S. win does not begin every 4 years but generations before. Beyond the championship, it is also important to recognize the contribution of such performances to the more crucial conversation about women in sports, inclusion and equal remuneration.

2019 WWC Review: After all the African teams failed to make it past the Round of 16, What’s next for the game in Africa?

With the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup now in the books, it's time to reflect on what an amazing month of soccer it was, precisely for Africa. This year’s World Cup, saw two of Africa’s three representatives reaching the round of 16. Below we breakdown the happenings of the tournament with a focused attention on the African teams; Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa as well as the future of the sport on the continent moving forward.

“Further to this, according to Yasmine Arkoub, co-founder of sports consulting firm, Melting Sports, there are also plans to launch an African Women’s Champions League. Additionally, former Nigerian player Yusuf-Aromire has also launched the SheFootball Initiative to encourage young Nigerian girls to get on the pitch.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Claudia Goette of Leverkusen challenges Amanda Dlamini of South Africa during the women's friendly match between South Africa and Bayer Leverkusen at Sport School Hennef on July 12, 2012 in Recklinghausen, Germany.

(July 11, 2012 - Source: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images Europe)

AFRICA’S 2019 WORLD CUP EXPLOITS SUMMARISED

Nigeria

Nearly knocked out of the group stages as a result of a controversial VAR decision, the Nigerian Super Falcons had a decent world cup performance as they managed to reach the round of 16. While they were knocked out by two time champions, Germany, the West African team did meet their primary objective of at least qualifying for the knockout stages. Thus, the team will look to build on from this in preparation for future tournaments and ultimately the 2023 World Cup. What is more, coach Thomas Dennerby looks to have unearthed some young players who could be long term foundations of the squad.

Cameroon

Cameroon qualified for the round of 16 after beating New Zealand 2-1 in their final group match. A big letdown for the Cameroonians was their failure to be clinical in front of goal throughout the tournament. The Indomitable Lionesses were very creative and threatening going forward but a bit less cohesive defensively. In their last time out, Cameroon lost 3-0 to England in a match that was characterised by intense physicality and various controversial VAR decisions. One may not be faulted for believing that the less sportive behavior displayed by the Cameroon team during their match against England marred their never say die attitude which had helped them reach the round of 16. The players refused to restart the game after England had scored a goal awarded by a controversial VAR decision, causing a conundrum on the field of play in an unbearable sight for football fans.

South Africa

To whom much is given much is expected, says an old adage. After a stellar showing at the 2018 Women’s AFCON tournament last year where they reached the finals, much was expected from the South African women’s team. The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup was Banyana Banyana’s first ever appearance at that stage. The team lost all three matches though they did manage to salvage some pride by scoring a consolation goal courtesy of star player Thembi Kgatlana in their 3-1 loss against Spain. Nevertheless, perhaps some positives can be taken from Banyana’s world cup journey. Their ability to reach the tournament for the first time is something not to be taken lightly. Furthermore, the team has been able to blend in experience and youth that has come up the ranks, and as such, by the time the next world cup tournament arrives, a majority of the team’s youngsters would have reached their peak and will be ready to be more competitive.

Cameroon line up during the Women's Football first round Group E Match of the London 2012 Olympic Games between Cameroon and Brazil at Millennium Stadium on July 25, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales.

(July 24, 2012 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

THERE ARE OTHERS

While the above teams have exerted their place as the leading women’s football nations from the continent, there are other teams that are closely behind them that may rise in the near future. These include Mali, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Mighty Warriors were the first Zimbabwean national football team to make it to a global event after qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Previously, Zimbabwe had qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations three times and their best performance was a fourth place finish at the 2000 edition held in Nigeria. Moreover, the upcoming COSAFA Cup will be an opportunity for the Mighty Warriors to redeem themselves and show their competence especially after failing to book a place at the Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) last year.

SOME CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE WOMEN’S GAME

It must be pointed out that African national teams (both women and men) still have a long way to go if they are to succeed in major tournaments such as the Men and Women’s FIFA World Cup. Prominent even today, stories of pay disputes between players and the football governing body remain poisonous to the development of the sport and if left unaddressed, will continue to be a problem. Such disputes have reared their ugly heads as a result of the corruption and general mismanagement that plagues high-level football across Africa. Despite being home to large throngs of football lovers and also some of the world’s best players, football federations across the continent are engulfed by cancerous maladministration which creates a lot of problems that ultimately force players to take extreme measures in an effort to get their payments. Noteworthy examples that come to mind include the issues faced by the Nigerian women’s team after beating Cameroon 5-0 to win the AWCON back in 2004. The Nigerian federation refused to pay players their bonuses and pending allowances as the federation claimed there was no money. The players eventually got their dues after continued pressure from both players and the media. Fast forward to 2019, the same issue arose at the end of their world cup journey.  It was reported that the Super Falcons refused to return home unless they were paid. Therefore, the absence of proper structures to deal with such problems will continue to result in unrest and lack of optimal performances from national team players.

Renata Costa of Brazil scores a header during the Women's Football first round Group E Match of the London 2012 Olympic Games between Cameroon and Brazil at Millennium Stadium on July 25, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales.

(July 24, 2012 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

A GLOBAL VIEW

In the same vein, another predominant issue not only in African women’s football but globally as well, has been the issue of unequal pay between the men’s and the women’s teams. It was reported that Banyana Banyana, South Africa women’s team, were paid 10 times less than Bafana Bafana, the men’s team. As such, this damning discovery resulted in the South African Football Association (SAFA) taking action to rectify this. To this end, in May 2019, SAFA increased Banyana's pay and made it equivalent to their male counterparts in a move that was welcomed by many South African football lovers. It was also reported that Nigeria too, has recently taken steps to correct the wage disparity between male and female players. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) told CNN it conducted a pay review in 2017 resulting in basic match bonuses for the Super Falcons being raised to $3,000 per player, while the basic bonus for the men's team was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000 per player. According to Samuel Ahmadu, a member of the women's committee for the NFF, the enormous pay gap in the African game can partly be attributed to poor handling of female football teams by their sports associations.

INFRASTRUCTURE & REASONS TO BE HOPEFUL

Despite the difficulties faced by many female players on the continent, there are signs of hope for the women's game. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has been making bold steps towards investing in women's football. In 2018, the CAF President in a speech at the CAF women's football symposium alluded that the organization would prioritize women's competitions and support local federations in managing women's teams. Further to this, according to Yasmine Arkoub, co-founder of sports consulting firm, Melting Sports, there are also plans to launch an African Women's Champions League. Additionally, former Nigerian player Yusuf-Aromire has also launched the SheFootball Initiative to encourage young Nigerian girls to get on the pitch. The Super Falcons legend offers training for girls and provides football kits for those who can't afford them. "There are a million girls out there who want to play football but are not being encouraged. They just need the support and access to opportunities," she said.

Worth noting is that many African players have been travelling overseas in search for better opportunities to develop their football talents and advance their careers, yet the national teams have found themselves unable to shine on the global stage and many nations are still without a professional league. It is said that out of the 54 national associations in Africa, 25 countries currently have a women’s league with only four boasting well-organized and quality competitions, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa. As a result, the insignificant number of leagues on the continent hinders many players’ abilities to compete at the highest level consistently, both at national and club level.

“Fast forward to 2019, the same issue arose at the end of their world cup journey.  It was reported that the Super Falcons refused to return home unless they were paid. Therefore, the absence of proper structures to deal with such problems will continue to result in unrest and lack of optimal performances from national team players.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Asisat Oshoala #8 of Nigeria reacts after scoring the second goal against Sweden during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Group D match between Sweden and Nigeria at Winnipeg Stadium on June 8, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada.

(June 7, 2015 - Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Considering all else, there is a long way to go for African football, and the following are some of the action points that I believe need to be addressed by relevant stakeholders in order to improve the sport. Firstly, football associations should make it a priority to source for more sustainable sponsorship for national women’s leagues. This will help in not only having enough prize money for the leagues, but it will also help in attracting local players to remain in the continent as a result of increased competitiveness in the domestic leagues, as well as increasing awareness and abolishing stigma surrounding women’s football which can ultimately draw more sponsors. Additionally, more partnerships between countries should be formed to fast-track the development of players. For instance, one notable initiative in this regard has been the partnership between SAFA and the Spanish La Liga which has seen the League commit to sponsoring the South African Under-17 women’s national team’s (Bantwana) trip to Spain to play two important friendly matches against select sides from La Liga’s national women’s league. SAFA’s representative remarked, “we have received balls to give to our provinces from La Liga, they have sent us La Liga qualified coaches to train our local coaches and have been heavily involved in initiatives with our regions and provinces to develop the sport at grassroots level.”

More of such partnerships are needed across the continent if women’s football in Africa is to rise to the level it belongs.

2019 WWC Review: Five Breakout Stars of the Tournament (Stars of the future)

WE ALL WIN

“One of the most secure bets in the entire world will always be on Thembi. As South Africa took on Spain in their first ever world cup finals match in France 2019, she got the landmark goal. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Inside a close to 60 000 capacity filled Lyon Olympic Stadium, an aura of love and triumph filled the air. Rumblings, hummings, cheers and all kinds of sounds that can be heard when thousands of voices come together for a common goal and spectacle. Most audibly were the chants, “USA…USA… USA,” the Stars and Stripes had put two goals past the Oranje of Netherlands to claim the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a second successive world cup gold and a record fourth for the Americans. Obviously the Dutch players and supporters weren’t the most joyful in that stadium but their ponytailed hair, orange painted faces and the three striped flags still hoisted high sent a clear message of momentary disappointment at a lost battle but everlasting delight of a won war. Just outside the stadium, in France, Europe, America and all across the world; watch parties satisfactorily concluded and the interviewed supporters in New York, who wore “Team USA” apparel could be heard saying, their women’s team “are like superheroes,” tears of joy streaming down their cheeks also bearing witness to the said words.

A historic 60 000 capacity stadium filled for a women’s game is an applaudable feat, but so are the 14.3 million viewers who were watching on their television sets all across the USA alone, pipping the 11.4 million that watched the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup. In the grasp of the monumental milestones for the women’s game, young and daring upcoming stars who grabbed the world cup opportunity by the scruff of its neck posed a stubborn assurance of what’s to come in the near future. In other words, it’s all just getting started.

Lest we forget, we took some time to list down five of the breakout stars of the France 2019 tournament, we should all keep a keen eye on in the near future. Without further ado, let’s get it!

VIVIANNE MIEDEMA - NETHERLANDS & ARSENAL

Vivianne Miedema of Netherlands reacts during the Group A match between Belgium and Netherlands during the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 at Koning Willem II Stadium on July 24, 2017 in Tilburg, Netherlands.

(July 23, 2017 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe

Background

Graceful. That’s how I can describe her. It’s like she has some ice in her veins. At only 23, the common age for upcoming players, she is already the all-time top goal scorer for the Netherlands women’s national team. Vivianne’s 61 goals tally even surpass the record for the men’s team held by Robin van Persie.

The young forward started playing football as early as the age of 5. Since then, the Hoogeveen born player hasn’t stopped quickly climbing up the ranks while taking the world by storm. Miedema made her senior career debut with SC Heerenveen in her home country, scoring 78 goals in 69 appearances after which she was quickly snapped up by Bayern Munich once she reached eighteen. After 3 years in Germany, a time in which she was part of a Bayern side that finished the 2014/15 season unbeaten and won the league title for the first time since 1976, Miedema linked up with FA WSL side, Arsenal. It was also during her Bayern spell that the forward earned the reputation of “being the most gifted striker in Europe.” It’s actually easy to see why.

Playing style

By reason of having grown up idolizing the Arsenal and Dutch legend, Robin van Persie, her game and manner of playing is very much like the 35-year-old Feyenoord forward. Although, careful mention needs to be made that Vivianne is the first of her name; in all aspects. Standing at 1.75m tall, she is relatively taller than most women footballers and poses a strong and imposing figure in the opponent’s box. She is in the top 0.01% when it comes to hold-up play, that is excellent first touch and releasing other wide players even as she maintains the furthest and most central attacking position at both Arsenal and the Netherlands. Most remarkably, Miedema is praised for her “killer instinct.” You don’t have to take my word for it, former Dutch coach, Roger Reijners described her as that, after helping the nation secure its first ever world cup qualification in 2015. The Arsenal forward can carve out defences, wriggle past markers, make something out of nothing, possesses the fiercest of shots and is very good in the air.

What’s to come?

She has been the Dutch team’s main striker and star player. The team that won the 2017 UEFA Women’s Championship and the 2019 FIFA Wold Cup silver medal. She scored her first three world cup goals to help the Netherlands go all the way to their first world cup final. After also having racked up a record 22 FA WSL goals in Arsenal’s title winning 2018/19 season, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the year and several other individual accolades during the course of her career, it’s clear that much more is to come. With at least 7 years left in her football career, one would be very unwise not consider her as a possible future Balon d’Or winner.

ROSE LAVELLE – USWNT AND WASHINGTON SPIRIT

Rose Lavelle of USA during the international friendly between Sweden and USA at Ullevi Stadium on June 8, 2017 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

(June 7, 2017 - Source: Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images Europe)

Background

This is the lady who exploded towards the Netherlands box, carved out the defence and scored the insurance goal, the one that wrapped up the US Women’s National Team’s 2-0 world cup title win against the Netherlands in front of a 60 000 capacity stadium. The Cincinnatti, Ohio born girl who picked “professional soccer player,” as her intended career in a 3rd grade book report, is much more than that now. Just a few weeks ago, she took home the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Bronze ball after being recognised as the third best player of the tournament behind world cup winning captain, Megan Rapinoe and England’s Lucy Bronze. In only her first ever world cup appearance since debuting for the world champions in 2017.

The 24-year-old Lavelle started playing soccer at a tender age and has gradually climbed up the ranks of U.S youth teams. After a hugely successful 4-year collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers, Lavelle has had a highly nomadic career representing all of Dayton Dutch Lions twice, Seattle Sounders, Boston Breakers and now the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Playing style

As an extremely hard-working box to box midfielder, it’s easy to explain why Lavelle has managed to score 10 goals in 33 appearances for her country since her debut in 2017. Midfielders don’t usually rack up such numbers. Rose is a dynamic, quick, intelligent and very composed player who seem to have a maturity least expected of her age. That world cup final goal against the Dutch goes a long to explain what she’s like; quick, tricky, direct, fearless and ruthless.

What’s to come?

As the youngest player who was a consistent presence in the USWNT and started the world cup final, we don’t have to look very far if we are to play a game of identifying future stars and captains of the USWNT. Her bronze ball win at the 2019 FIFA Women’s world cup is surely the first of many widely acclaimed international individual accolades to come. It sure looks like Rosemary is going to need more space to contain her over 14 individual accolades won during her collegiate career and many more to come.

KEIRA WALSH – ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER CITY

Keira Walsh of England during the International Friendly between England Women and Australia Women at Craven Cottage on October 9, 2018 in London, England.

(Oct. 8, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Background

You cannot talk the future of English football without mentioning the name Keira Fae Walsh coming up more than once, obviously together with other headlining young stars such as Georgia Stanway. Just like the aforementioned USWNT’s Rose Lavelle, Walsh was England’s youngest player in their semi-final clash against the Americans and for the greater part of the tournament, if not throughout. Coincidentally, just like Lavelle, they all help anchor the midfield of their nations. The 22-year-old Rochdale born midfielder first burst onto the scene in 2014 appearing as a substitute for FA WSL’s Manchester City. The wheels just never came off from hence forth, playing a total of more than 64 competitive fixtures for the Manchester Blue. Also, interestingly similar to Lavelle, Walsh was also making her FIFA World Cup debut for the Three Lionesses in France and it’s safe to say she took it with aplomb.

Style of play

Walsh’s composure makes you wonder if she takes ice for breakfast. She is not the kind to run up the pitch and knack-in some goals but rather prefers to stay put and cover her defensive frontline, which worked seamlessly well as she partnered with a more experienced and advanced midfielder, Jill Scott in England’s set-up. Walsh hardly does the spectacular and really doesn’t need to. Her first touch, pin point accurate passes, tackles and ability to break-up opposition play ensures she really becomes an anchor of any midfield fortunate enough to have her.

What’s to come?

After a highly successful start to her Manchester City career that has seen Keira learn to win as they captured 6 major trophies in 5 years which include an FA Women’s Super League title and 2 FA Cups, she is just going to win so much more. With a lot of years ahead of her and the legs to run them, future England success will most probably have her fingerprints all over it. Quote me anywhere and I will say now and maybe forever;

Keira Walsh, that’s a future English captain right there.

KADI DIANI – FRANCE AND PSG

Kadidiatou Diani of France during the friendly match between France Women and Australia Women at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on October 5, 2018 in Saint-Etienne, France.

(Oct. 4, 2018 - Source: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Europe)

Background

Ask all the players who were less fortunate to be entrusted with the role of marking her in the just ended FIFA world cup and they will tell you all about Kadidiatou Diani. The 24-year-old pacey winger really has an enviable relationship with the ball, able to do whatever she wants with it. In France’s run to the quarter-finals where they lost 1-2 to eventual winners, the USWNT, Diani was a constant presence on the right flank, tracking back and unrelenting in the offensive. Whenever she held the ball, something special always seemed most likely to happen and yes she did leave defenders in sixes and sevens once or twice with her bag of tricks and directness. Kadi was born in Ivry-sur-Seine, France and first played senior professional football for Juvisy between 2010-17 before joining Paris Saint Germain. She has since scored 19 goals in 44 appearances for the Parisians and capped 51 times by the France national team since her international debut in 2014.

Playing style

The PSG forward didn’t score a handful of goals during the world cup but her work on the right channel was there for all to see, a super exciting player to watch that reminds many of the exploits of French legend, Thierry Henry. Full of confidence, supersonic pacey and power; Kadi is fully aware that she can take on any challenging player in the business, evidenced by the high rate of successful dribbles per match. Her work-rate which has seen her recover balls and force mistakes off defenders, illustrates an admirable skill set of a modern player who is equally as good on the ball just as she is off it.

What’s to come?

At only 24-years of age, Kadi looks an indispensable figure on the right flank of Les Bleues, a collectively young, progressive and hungry side tipped to start winning some elusive major silverware in the near future. She may have scored just 10 goals in 51 appearances for France but every logical aspect of her style of play, career and growth tells the story of much more to come. Soon enough, the most memorable moments of her career won’t be limited to the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup where she bagged 4 goals and helped France to the title; Kadi’s next big moment might just define the future of football as a whole.

THEMBI KGATLANA – SOUTH AFRICA AND BEIJING BG PHOENIX F.C

Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa runs with the ball during the Women's Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images South America)

Background

This is not obviously the first time we are writing about Thembi here at First Touch. The 23-year-old has been undoubtedly the best player on the continent in the past year after playing a starring role for South Africa’s silver medal win at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and in securing a historic world cup finals debut appearance for Banyana Banyana. The young forward was on song throughout the 2018 Ghana AFCON finals, taking home the top goal scorer award, the best player of the tournament accolade and also bagging several others at the 2018 CAF Awards Gala. Kgatlana became somewhat a revelation to many when she first appeared on the international scene in 2018. Before then, the South African forward had been silently on the grind in the books of the University of Western Cape in the Southern African nation. She has since moved to the U.S National Women’s Soccer League side, Houston Dash and now represents the Chinese Women’s Super League side, Beijing BG Phoenix.

Style of play

Before her, not many as quick as her, slick, direct, in possession of the most powerful shot and having that sort of killer instinct had been seen rising up and shining on the continent. She announced herself to the world with a cracker of a goal on the edge of the box as Banyana registered a 1-0 win over defending champions Nigeria, in their 2018 AWCON opening match.

What’s to come?

One of the most secure bets in the entire world will always be on Thembi. As South Africa took on Spain in their first ever world cup finals match against Spain in France 2019, she got the landmark goal. A woman who shines everywhere and one who has become the face of the future of African football.

FINAL NOTE

Conclusively, Vivianne, Rose, Keira, Kadi and Thembi are really some of the most exciting stars to keep an eye on in the near future. Who else makes this list?

“A historic 60 000 capacity stadium filled for a women’s game is an applaudable feat, but so are the 14.3 million viewers who were watching on their television sets all across the USA alone, pipping the 11.4 million that watched the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup. In the grasp of the monumental milestones for the women’s game, young and daring upcoming stars who grabbed the world cup opportunity by the scruff of its neck posed a stubborn assurance of what’s to come...”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Can host nation France follow in the Men’s team’s footsteps?

The 2018 Blues

It was a night of dances, cheers, laughs, cries and even so much more. Perhaps the culmination of all human emotions, those we love and some not so much. One game, one football and one tournament bred all of them. Why not? It’s the biggest football showpiece in the realm of human kind, the FIFA World Cup. All of the high and mighty had descended upon Russia in June of 2018 with the simple aim of taking home the world cup gold. All the different skin colors, languages, creeds or religions of the final 32 nations present to contest for the ultimate prize was reduced to one. Goals. Those to outscore their opponents being the most fluent in the new language.

On that particular night, the climax of all fights, contests and contentions – France reigned supreme and perhaps changed the men’s football language to French, at least until Qatar 2022. Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti drew first blood by ruthlessly heading the ball past Croatia’s Subasic from a resulting corner that led to a Mandzukic own goal. Of course the highlight therein was his sassy and missy like dance which he was so kind enough to repeat on several other occasions. Then Griezmann converted from the penalty spot after their European counterparts had pulled one back through Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic. He too, turning the pitch into a dancefloor with a fortnite move, not the first by the departing Atletico Madrid forward. Mbappe danced like Mbappe as the French hit song suggested whereas Pogba didn’t actually dance when he found the back of the net on the night. After carefully placing a rebounded long range shot in the bulgy net and wrapping up the 4-2 win for Les Bleues, the Manchester United midfielder instead decided to lend an ear to his critics and silenced them with joy as he celebrated the all but certain France’s second ever world cup triumph.

That was fun, at least for the Frenchmen who were dancing their way into the history books with an emphatic 4-2 win in the final. Also crushing 32 dreams in the process, most apparent being the Croats who had impressively fought with sweat, blood and tears, against all odds, to reach their first ever FIFA World Cup final. But that’s part of the game we all love, when some rejoice, it’s almost certain that others will languish in despair of what could have been and wait for the chance to go again.

As good as all the above may sound, it’s certainly water under the bridge now. However, a new hunt is on the horizon and blank history books are going to be opened for keen writers to leave their mark. Same FIFA World Cup tournament but this time, it’s the women who get to have their say.

The 2019 Hunt

As luck would have it, it’s not only the winning spirit of 2018 that could boost Les Bleues towards an unprecedented world cup triumph, they also have the home advantage. All of the 24 finalists for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will fly to France and play across nine different venues and cities for the single most important silverware in the community of women’s footballing nations. From the 7th of June to 7th of July 2019, the fight will be in France. Amongst those present, the three time and record winners in US Women’s National Team, Germany, Japan, England and the Netherlands are expected to mount a strong world cup title challenge. And of course, the host nation, whose prospects we shall exhaustively explore in the following paragraphs. If winning is merely a spirit passed by osmosis or any other means, the world cup one is most certainly circling in their home country. Putting aside fantasy, fairy-tale and butterflies in the stomach talk for a minute. Can the French Women’s team follow the footsteps of the men and really go all the way? What do the facts say?

Their four winds of a possible success

1.Ici Ce France

As the famous Paris St Germain’s mantra goes, Ici Ce Paris (Here is Paris), the French team can certainly boast of the home advantage. To start with, the French Women’s national team has lost only once on home soil since January of 2016, a 1- 0 defeat at the hands of Germany in February 2019, that was a record of over 24 matches without a loss before the Germans. They have not only been winning against the less heralded and learning to be experienced nations but whoever has dared to breach their fortress. Most recently, in January of this year as the finalists played friendlies in preparation for the upcoming June tournament, Les Bleues defeated the defending champions, USWNT, 3 – 1 in Lyon. Some commentators will probably argue that the Stars and the Stripes were short of two or three star players but the reality is that’s an integral part of football. And the French just don’t joke at home. Having won the past 9/10 matches at home, you certainly cannot put it past them to win seven more. Only seven wins separate them from the world cup gold.

2. An impressively progressive history

Les Bleues have been on the up since the turn of the millennium. Just like any other newly formed team, France had to patiently wait in its grind to become one of the most consistent and dangerous opponents in Europe. They failed to qualify for the first three organized FIFA Women’s World cup beginning in 1991 as well as six UEFA European Championships. Les Bleues have since become a consistent performer and a loathed opponent on the grand stage who have reached two of the three quarter-finals of the UEFA competition since 2000. In that same period, they also qualified for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in 2003, though failing to reach the same finals in 2007, they returned with a bang and recorded their best ever finish in the 2011 tourney. After defeating England on penalties in the quarter-finals, they came up short against USWNT in the semi-final who dismissed them 3-1 to book a final against eventual winners, Japan. One year later, they proved that their world cup exploits were no fluke as their reached the semi-finals of the 2012 London Summer Olympics again losing 2-1 to one of the big girls, Japan, in the semis. In the most recent world cup 2015 held in Canada, they were deluded of a semi-final berth after agonizingly losing 4-5 on penalties to the 2011 hosts, Germany in the quarters.

This brief journey into the history of women’s French football does tell us that they don’t choke on the big stage and a team that has been on the up since inception. They are yet to reach a world cup final, and there is no better place to do that or better yet win the tournament other than in their own backyard. Their current 4th placement on the FIFA Women’s Global Football teams ranking is no given and they will be eager to prove once more, that they bring the big game!

3. Momentum stemming from the pre-tourney friendlies

More often than not, success on grand stages hinges on momentum, passion and experience. We are guaranteed that France will not be short of any passion given their hunger for more substantial success and silverware while being backed by a home crowd who believe they can, having seen their male counterparts wing it in the 2018 Men’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. As for the experience, we will learn more of that a little later on.

The winds of momentum are also blowing full strength into their sails. Of the nine friendly matches played since September 2018 in preparation for the world up, France have won eight, losing only once to Germany. In that time, they scored a total of 31 goals and conceded only 4. Surely, you can understand their prospects much better now. They are no minnows, perhaps the favorite of favorites. Even more, among those defeated, are some of the successful and recent winners of the women’s world cup, USWNT and Japan with a 3-1 score-line against both. The heaviest wins were against Cameroon and Uruguay, scoring 6 goals in each match with no reply. Les Bleus are expected to blow away Thailand and China PR on the 25th and 31st of May as they close off a more than thorough and impressive world cup warm-up campaign.

4. The golden generation

It’s a thing in football, maybe in every other team sport. Time and time again, talented individuals are combined to form a competitive unit. However, of all the units assembled, there is that one which many onlookers refer to as the “golden generation.” That one has not just talented but exceptionally talented individuals. It became apparent at the 2013 UEFA Women’s Euro in Sweden where Les Bleus breezed past Spain, England and Russia to gain a first class entry into the quarter-finals. In the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Canada, they were considered favorites and defeated England, 1-0 in their opening match. All of USWNT, Japan and England means they have gotten one over most of highly ranked teams in the tournament in recent years. Even defeating the first two, earlier this year as alluded in the preceding paragraphs.

They are known to play an attractive brand of football punctuated by dominating possession and yes, scoring loads of goals. Just as their men who emphatically lifted the world cup gold in 2018, the women too have benefited from France’s immigration laws that have overtime allowed them to assemble teams of individuals whose descent may not necessarily be French. The winning men’s team is a golden generation with the likes of Golden Boy Winner, Kylian Mbappe and a host of massively talented footballers playing in Europe’s best teams. In the same vein, there is also an equal chance that the women’s golden generation could be crowned champions in Lyon, come July 2019.

Endowed with the spirit of Lyon

This one, is more than just a factor of four as to why the Women’s World Cup gold may be heading to France. It is an entire spirit, a stand-alone pillar for Les Bleus’ world cup title bid.

Here’s a bit of trivia. The best group of players assembled anywhere in any sport at this juncture is inarguably Olympique Lyonnais Feminin. After winning their fourth successive UEFA Champions League title a few weeks ago, a sixth crown in 10 years, if they don’t personify dominance, nothing will. Real Madrid won three Champions League titles in a row but sucked domestically, the Golden State Warriors could win their third straight NBA Championships and the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl thrice in five years – but they all don’t come close to Lyon’s Women football team. Other than their European dominance, they have ridiculously won the French national title, 13 times in a row. They are just way too good and the best there is.

Now, guess what the feature city and stadium of the 2019 World Cup is? Stade de Lyon in Lyon. Possibly the mother city of women’s football around the globe. Check out the fixtures to be hosted by the stadium outlined in our FT Women’s World Cup Stadium Guide. The fans in Lyon definitely know how to get behind a women’s football team and will bring that to the table in pushing Les Bleus to victory.

Furthermore, Lyon has supplied a total of seven talented and experienced players who know how to win, to the French side. That means coach Corinne Diacre can have 2/3 of her team be a replica of Lyon’s dominate side if she chooses. These seven include goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, defenders Amel Majri, Mbock Bathy Nka and the towering Wendie Renard, the vastly experienced midfielder and captain in Amandine Henry as well as forwards Delphine Cascarino and one of the best players in the world, Eugenie Le Sommer. France is endowed with the winning spirit of Lyon from the goalkeeper right up to the attackers, not forgetting the other exceptional women playing in top leagues around Europe.

Final note

It’s definitely game on and lights off for many who will come up against Les Bleus. But whether they will stand tall on the podium after all is said and done especially in the presence of the unrelenting USWNT, Japan, Germany and England – it remains somewhat a mystery.

France will kick-off their world cup campaign with a group game against the 11th ranked South Korea on the 7th of June before squaring off with the Ada Hegerberg-less Norway five days later. They will close off the group stage with Africa Women Cup of Nations champions and record-winners, Nigeria on the 12th of June in Rennes.

Women’s FIFA World Cup: Group A, “The Group of Death”

We're nearing the start of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, which gets underway in France on June 7 and features 24 teams vying for the title. Hosts France get the competition under way with their opening group match against South Korea in Paris. The hosts are No. 4 in on world the rankings and will have the home crowd behind them, as they try to duplicate their fellow men’s side, Les Bleus’ title triumph in Russia last year and live up to high expectations in the pool that pundits, arguably, called as “Group of Death”, comprising of the hosts France, Norway, Korea Republic and Nigeria. Below we zoom into Group A of the women’s world cup and analyze each team’s chances of progressing to the next stage of the tournament.

France

As the hosts of the tournament, Les Bleues will be expected to pick up on the momentum left behind by the men's French team, with the host nation eyeing the highest honor in football by winning the tournament on home turf. The women’s team's best finish on the world stage was fourth place in the 2011 edition and they will be looking to up that in next month’s event.

The French team is one of the most talented teams in the world. The team boasts of a number of players that can rival the much fancied sides and bring the trophy home provided they (France) play their best football. Amongst these players are Wendie Renard and Dephine Cascarino. The former is considered to be one of the best defenders in the game (her rating as the top center back in FIFA 19 says a lot). Wendie is what Virgil Van Dijk is to Liverpool: reliable. She’s quick on her feet and unbeatable in the air, which has led to her prolific scoring rate (for a defender) at both the national team and club level.

Having won every trophy on offer with her club Olympique Lyon including the Champions League, the one trophy missing in Renard’s trophy cabinet is the World Cup gold, and that should be enough motivation for her to deliver her best showing for the French team. If Renard hits top gear, she could be vital in France’s quest to become the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup trophies at the same time. Another key player that is likely to make a big impact for France is upcoming attacking player Dephine Cascarino. The 22-year-old Lyon midfielder has impressed at club level for the past two seasons, bagging seven goals apiece for two successive seasons. While Cascarino is relatively inexperienced at a full national team level, with just 11 caps, she has 12 goals at youth World Cups, and looks to get a good chunk of playing time this summer.

Apart from these enterprising players, the experience of long-serving servant Eugenie Le Sommer cannot go unnoticed. The French forward has scored 74 goals in 159 national team appearances, including 11 World Cup goals. In front of their home crowd, coupled with the right mixture of established stars and promising young players, one could argue that this would be the right time for France to finally win a major tournament.

Norway

Norway has the most World Cup appearances in Group A, having qualified for all eight previous editions of the event. It is also the only team in the group that has won the cup, back in 1995.

Perhaps the key talking point of this Norwegian side is the absence of their star player Ada Hegerberg. Regarded as the world’s best female footballer, the 23-year old who is also the current Balon d'Or winner and three-time Champions League winner, quit the national team back in 2017, as protest for what she says is a lack of respect for female players in Norway. She has scored 38 goals in 66 caps for the national team. Norway coach Martin Sjogren said in February that the federation had "tried to solve" things between them and Hegerberg but "she decided not to play". Sjogren further added: "As a coach, you need to focus on the players who want to be a part of the team and Ada doesn't. We respect that and we have been working hard with the other players and they have been doing a great job."

With this in mind, Norway will be pinning their hopes on the current crop of players and in particular their captain Maren Majelde. The 29-year old has featured for the side for more than a decade. She’s the soul and mastermind of the team. Capable of playing in central defence, as a defensive midfielder or even as a playmaker, Marelde’s sheer vision, dead-ball skills and charisma are key assets for Norway leading up to the World Cup. Apart from Marelde, players like defender Maria Thorisdottir and forward Caroline Graham Hansen are also expected to play a pivotal role in Norway’s quest for glory.

South Korea

South Korea qualified for their second straight Women’s World Cup after finishing fifth at the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian cup. This will be South Korea’s third appearance in the world cup. They were eliminated in the group stages in 2003 and only made it as far as the round of 16 in 2015. The Koreans kick off their world cup campaign against hosts France on June 7, knowing very well that a win will boost their chances of coming out of the group stages.

On paper at least, the odds are on the women from Seoul to get knocked out in the group stages. The 14th ranked South Korea is the proverbial dark horse in Group A after a lackluster performance in tournaments leading to the World Cup, most recently the Asian Cup. Nonetheless, South Korea’s powerful weapon in France would be its defense, as it did not concede a single goal in all its matches in the 2018 Women’s Asian Cup. One game that may provide the team with a lifeline of qualifying to the next stages could be their second game where they face off against Nigeria. The Africans are ranked 38th in the world, 24 places below the Koreans. Being a tactical team, South Korea’s ability to keep the ball and wear down their opposition with a possession-based style of football, could be key to South Korea’s any realistic chances of progressing further to the knockout stages.

While the Korean team face an uphill task to qualify to the knockout stages, they can still have a couple of key players they can rely on. These include Chelsea’s playmaker Ji So-Yun, who is the biggest star in the team. Credited with 54 goals in 115 appearances, she’s easily the most prolific Korean player. The 29-year-old was named the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season, her debut season in England. Apart from Ji So-Yun, South Korea will also be banking their hopes on talented youngster, Son Hwa-Yeon to help the team. Overall, the odds are definitely stacked against the Koreans and they are easily deemed as the underdogs of this group. Nonetheless, all that will count for nothing as football has taught in the past that anything is possible and by virtue of that, one can count this South Korean side out at their own peril.

Nigeria

Nigeria booked the ticket to France by winning the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the ninth time. The Falcons will open their campaign against 1995 winners Norway on 8 June. The nine-time African champions will then play South Korea in Grenoble on 12 June before facing hosts France on 17 June in Rennes. The West Africans hold the record of being the only African nation to have qualified for every Women's World Cup since it began in 1991. However, they have failed to translate their continental dominance on the world stage, with their best showing coming only during the USA world cup in 1999 where Nigeria reached the quarter-finals. Since then, they have failed to go beyond the group stages in the last four editions in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. Coach Thomas Dennerby will therefore be hoping that the team break its duck and advance further in the competition.

As expected in any team, Nigeria boasts of a number of players that will be crucial if the team’s hopes of winning the tournament are anything to go by. One of these players is FC Barcelona striker and three-time African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala. She exploded to the scene back in 2014, winning both the Adidas Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards as Nigeria reached the finals of the FIFA under-20 Women’s World cup. Voted the best African player in 2014, 2016 and 2017, the powerful and aggressive striker is pivotal to the Super Falcons’ attacking potent/arsenal.

Apart from Oshoala, the leadership experience of team captain Onome Ebi will prove crucial to Nigeria’s push for the coveted trophy. Nigeria’s 2018 player of the year, Ebi, was an important figure as Nigeria recorded a title-winning success at the 2018 African Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana. All in all, the Super Falcons’ ninth title win in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is enough proof that Nigeria is a threat to the hosts.

Both Norway and Nigeria are among the select band of teams never to have missed a single FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Norwegians have played a total of 35 matches in the competition, and the Nigerians 22. In contrast, France have only 14 matches to their name and Korea Republic a mere 7. Whether the experience (or lack thereof) will be a difference maker remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Group A certainly has all the sparks and recipes to be an electrifying group!

The group winners and runners up are guaranteed round of 16 berth, whereas the third placed team will only progress if it happens to be one of the four best third placed teams in the tournament.

The US may be the favorites, but who could prevent them from winning back to back?

France 2019 — the stage is set for FIFA Women’s World Cup; 24 teams gear up to lead their nations to world cup glory. The US come into the tournament as the team to beat. USA National Women’s Soccer team have become synonymous with world-class football, winning the World Cup a record three times since its inception in 1991. The US are deadly opponents, they play with rigor, determination, and with the intention of dominating the game, which has set them apart as the best team in the world over time.

This World Cup is set to deliver high-level performances not only from the US but from the other teams on the roster. The major competition for the US comes from England, France, Germany and Japan who have all recorded standout performances in the leading up to the 2019 FIFA World Cup, putting them among the favorites to win the title and dethrone the US women from their long-held position as the best team in the world.

Home field advantage—France

Host nation France has a legitimate chance to claim the title and replicate what the French men’s team did in Russia which was nothing short of magnificent. The stage is set for French women’s team to make history and follow the men’s team to keep the title in France come June. France’s squad is made up of talented and experienced players. Les Bleues will be banking on the expertise of Lyon forward and captain Eugénie Le Sommer who has scored 250 goals for her club and 74 for the French national team, to lead the team to their first World Cup title. France have a moral advantage in that as the host nation, they will have the support of large crowds at their games which will give the team the momentum and confidence that will have an impact of their performance on the field. Home ground advantage is powerful, Russia made the most of it last year; when most wouldn’t have predicted such an outstanding performance from the Russians, they put one of the most  memorable performances of the tournament, even eliminating the acclaimed Spaniards.

Coming from a major victory—England

England is the birthplace of football, yet both the women’s and men’s teams have not been successful in translating that legacy into the modern game by claiming the title of world champions. This could be the year that the title of world champions finds its way to England. They do not possess the same decorated world cup history as the US but the Lionesses made a case for their title chances when they won the SheBelieves tournament in March 2019, beating Japan 3-0 in the cup final. Having been grouped together with Argentina, Japan and Scotland, England has a tough challenge ahead, however, they remain favorites to progress to the knockout stage along with Japan. Still riding on the momentum from the win, the Lionesses come into this World Cup with newfound confidence and verve that if combined with the right tactical strategy from coach Phil Neville, they could have an edge in the group stages and in the knockout rounds.

The tactical advantage — Germany

Germany are eight-time European champions and two-time world cup winners. In the qualifying campaign for France 2019, Germany scored 35 goals and conceded only 3 times. Die Nationalelf are ranked second behind the US coming into the tournament and are the second most obvious contender for the world cup despite not having won the title since 2007. The Germans should progress with ease from the group stages where they face much lower ranked teams - China, Spain and newcomers South Africa.

Germany is a holistic team— they are both defensively tight and masters at creating and converting chances into goals. In 2015 they finished as the top goal-scoring team with 20 goals followed by the US who managed 14 goals. The US and Germany are always the top two teams on the FIFA rankings, alternating for the number 1 spot. The qualifiers have shown that the German machine is on form and delivering in the accuracy and organisation that they have come to be known for.

Two-time finalists — Japan

After appearing in two consecutive World Cup finals in 2011 and 2015, winning in 2011, Japan cannot be left out of this list. They are very familiar with the world cup stage and always leave it all on the field even as they demonstrated in the 2011 and 2015 finals. In 2018 they secured a second AFC Women's Asian Cup against Australia.  Japan has a solid record in the World Cup which they will be looking to extend by becoming the first team to be in three consecutive finals.  

Japan has a young and talented squad led by Lyon defender Saki Kumagai whose performance this past season earned her a nomination for BBC’s Player of the Year alongside teammate Ada Hegerberg. In March, Japan beat out Brazil and USA to make to the SheBelieves Cup final, despite missing key players like Sakaguchi Mizuho and Miyake Shiori who had to sit out due to injuries. Japan will face England in the group stages as well as Scotland and Argentina, a tough challenge but may not be a roadblock for Nadeshiko.

The US football team embodies what it means to dominate a sport through and through, they have the trophies to prove it. England, France, Japan and Germany have the World Cup experience and track records that make them all worthy title contenders. Will the US add a fourth world cup title and extend their reign as the most decorated football team in world cup history? — All will be decided in France.

FT 2019 Women's World Cup Stadium Guide

Overview

As for the month of June starting from the 7th all through to the 7th of July, football is poised to be the biggest tourist attraction in the European nation of France. Not just any football but the 8th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. A total of 24 nations from the continents of the globe will get a chance to tour and play across nine of the most scenic and historically rich venues and cities in the French nation. Those not privileged enough to take a trip to France will have all the 52 matches brought to them live, in the comfort of their homes by several service providers depending on where they are. It’s perhaps the biggest football spectacle of the year, expected to attract peoples of all colors, creeds, religions and ages, just as the men’s tournament did in June 2018 where France emerged as the overall winner.

Furthermore, women’s sports and events have been growing exponentially over the years, breaking barriers and claiming their rightful place as equally able entertainers and heroines. The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup will not be any different. Here is a number for you, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup was watched by an estimated 764 million viewers. The final match between Japan and the US is said to have been watched by a whooping 23 million viewers in America alone, making it the most watched soccer match in the history of the United States of America.

In many nations, where the men’s football teams have consistently failed to perform at the highest level, the women are staking a serious claim at the biggest prizes and putting their countries on the map. It’s not only the USWNT but includes the likes of South Africa, Jamaica, Thailand, China PR, New Zealand and Norway, all of whom will participate in this year’s finals. In fact, the current best women’s player in the world is Ada Hegerberg from the small and less heralded Nordic nation of Norway. Even though Hegerberg will not be present in France 2019 for personal reasons, there is still so much more to look forward to.

All the finalists and tournament format

Below is the list of all the complete groups of the 24 finalists as drawn in December 2018. The group winners, their runner ups as well as four third placed teams with the most points will make it to the first knock-out stage of 16 teams.

Group A: France, South Korea, Norway, Nigeria

Group B: Germany, China PR, Spain, South Africa

Group C: Australia, Italy, Brazil, Jamaica

Group D: England, Scotland, Argentina, Japan

Group E: Canada, Cameroon, New Zealand, Netherlands

Group F: United States, Thailand, Chile, Sweden

The schedule of all the matches is also detailed below:

1. Group Stage (matches 1-36): June 7 – 20

2. Round of 16 (matches 37-44): June 22-25

3. Quarter-Finals (matches 45-48): June 27-29

4. Semi-Finals (matches 49-50): July 2-3

5. Third Place and World Cup Final (matches 51-52): July 6-7

Stadiums and the host cities

The nine French cities hosting the tournament have a unique blend of some of the country’s newest and oldest stadiums which us here at FirstTouch have decided to group into three categories. Their unique value offerings are obviously non-exclusive but could fall into feature, scenic and historically rich stadiums. Let’s check them out.

1. Featured stadiums

Parc Olympique Lyonnais – Lyon

Parc Olympique Lyonnais – Lyon

The main feature stadium of the 2019 tournament is Lyon’s home stadium with a capacity that is just over 59 000. It’s the biggest amongst the chosen nine, the most expensive stadium in France which costed a total of €400 million upon completion in 2016. Only the two semi-finals and the final will be hosted by the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Other than the sparkling nature of the stadium itself, Lyon as city is highly acclaimed to be the gastronomical capital of the highly gastronomic France. Foodies will be hugely satisfied in Lyon as well as by the charming neighbourhoods, historic buildings and rich culture that come along with all the gastronomy. The choice to name Parc Olympique Lyonnais as the main feature stadium of the tournament was largely in appreciation of the Lyon’s Women football team and the fans who have supported a thriving side that has dominated the whole of Europe in the last 10 years.

Parc des Princes – Paris

Many will know this as PSG’s home. The 47, 929 capacity stadium will host a total of seven world cup fixtures; five group stage matches, one round of 16 and one quarter-final. The opening match between France and South Korea will be played there and all else that is found in the French capital needs no introduction. The Eiffel Tower, the romance, history, food and culture will be available to all willing takers. It will most definitely be one of the most in-demand destinations.

2. Scenic stadiums

Stade des Alpes – Grenoble

Stade des Alpes – Grenoble

The capital of the Alps is famously known for hosting winter sports. It nears the Italian border with one of its major offerings being the ancient Bastille Fortress. The opportunities to hike the mountainous Alps or bike through the city are certainly great breakaway opportunities from just the football. Stade des Alpes itself, which is home to FC Grenoble is a state of the art facility opened in 2008, with a capacity of 20, 068 and endowed with a unique transparent roof structure.

Stade Oceane – Le Havre

Well, this one is my favorite. Stade Oceane is widely regarded as the best eco stadium amongst the nine venues. It is a state of the art 25, 278 all-seat arena endowed with a solar panelled roof that powers the entire stadium and all the water is impressively recycled. In addition, the Stade Oceane which was opened in 2012 also offers a beautifully lit up blue exterior because of the surrounding ocean as well as green spaces during the day plus gorgeous beaches.

Stade de Nice – Nice

French Ligue 1 side, OGC Nice’s home stadium is no stranger to hosting big tournaments. It was opened back in 2013, just in time for the Men’s UEFA Euro 2016 to host four matches. The Allianz Riviera can boast of being located on the sunny Cote d’Azur, one of France’s most popular destinations. The city is known to “have something for everyone,” not least the world-class casinos, scenic views of the mountains, beaches and the sea. The stadium itself will be one of the largest at the tournament, with a total capacity of something over 35 000 and it will host six matches.

Stade de Hainaut – Valenciennes

Stade de Hainaut – Valenciennes

This one nears the Belgian border and is conveniently located placed within a few hours of Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Paris and Luxembourg. Just like Lyon, it has an impeccable reputation for gastronomy and popularly known as the Athens of the North because of its artistic structures and vibe. Valenciennes FC play at the at least 25 000 capacity stadium which will host six of the 52 world cup matches.

3.Historically rich stadiums

Roazhon Park – Rennes

Voted as one of the most livable cities in the whole of France, Rennes is a lively university town with a stadium that was first constructed as early as 1912. Despite being over a 100 years old, refurbishments in 2004 and 2015 has given the close to 30, 000 capacity stadium a modern touch. Hosting a total of seven 2019 FIFA World Cup matches, fans can also expect some glorious architectures, a historic city centre as well as to relax in the city’s lovely parks, most especially the celebrated Parc du Thabor.

Stade Auguste-Delaune – Reims

Stade Auguste-Delaune – Reims

This one has been around enough to host even the 1938 World Cup. Reims is a relatively small city with plenty of Cathedrals and a few more historical buildings to explore. More famously, champagne orginated nearby and the beverage is still a major cash cow to the city’s economy. A bubbly beverage atmosphere, envelopes the city which is home to the legendary Robert Pires, a member of Arsenal’s infamous invincible squad. The grass pitch will play host to a total of six world cup matches.

Stade de la Mosson - Montpellier

Montpellier HSC’s home stadium is not as old as Roazhon nor Stade Auguste-Delaune but is home to some charming people and a vibrant culture. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea and obviously offers exclusive access to some exceptional beach views coupled with its reputation of enjoying some of the sunniest weather in the country. There are also quite a number of museums, shops and cafes to explore. It was first opened back in 1972 though completely rebuilt in preparation for the 1998 World Cup which was won by the host nation, France. The southernmost stadium amongst all the tournament hosts will host a total of five matches.

Signing Off

After all is said and done, the choice of where to go, who to follow and what to watch falls to you. A seemingly difficult choice given the unique offerings of the various host cities and stadiums. But as for us here at FirstTouch, we have been happy to share the need-to-know pieces of information regarding the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. We don’t see anything less than fireworks as the women take on the world.

Is Mbappe, the next big “thing” after Ronaldo and Messi?

“Now, 20 games into the French Ligue 1 season, PSG remains unbeaten and Mbappe is topping the scoring charts, again from a wide position not as an outright striker. The former Monaco forward has 18 goals and 6 assists to his name in nothing but only 12 league starts. Only Messi has scored more among Europe’s top five leagues with 19 goals in 17 La Liga starts.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

For quite some time, it really has been hugely “blasphemous” to pick out a footballer in the current age, who is or could go on to be as good as the two prime GOATs(Greatest Of All Time), Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But as of now, you can almost get away by throwing Kylian Mbappe’s name in that bracket or at least as one for the future.

The world at his feet

The 20-year-old set the world ablaze at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as he played a pivotal role in helping France win the world title. In a match that pitted him and the Argentine magician as the opposite number, the Frenchman of Cameroonian descent came out on top. We all knew it was going to be a long night for Messi and company as Mbappe slid through the South Americans at top speed from one end to another, leaving Marcos Rojo with no choice but to foul the then teenager inside the penalty area for the first goal of the contest. The match would then finish 4-3 in favor of Les Blues with young Kylian getting two of France’s goals and finishing off the match as the better number 10, ahead of Messi. As the tournament came to a close, Mbappe would then lift up the World Cup gold as a teenager, the one trophy which is still out of reach for the two GOATs in Ronaldo and Messi. Even more, Kylian became the first teenager since Pele to score in a world cup final. Of course the naysayers would say, “it’s only because the PSG forward has highly gifted players” to compliment him in the French squad, which could be true but having a teenage winger scoring 4 goals in the world cup finals is no average player’s feat.

French President Emmanuel Macron awards Kylian Mbappe of France with the FIFA Young Player Award as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President of Russia Valdimir Putin and President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic look on following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

(July 14, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Still going on strong

At Monaco, some said he had it easy scoring 15 goals and serving up 8 assists in 17 starts as Leonardo Jardim’s men claimed the 2016/17 French Ligue 1 title. We didn’t hear their voices out loud when that teenager bagged 6 goals in his UEFA Champions league debut season in the same campaign. Again at the world cup, “ it’s only because France’s that good,” they would say and we were not too surprised as they withdrew praise when he stood on that podium with the world cup gold in his palms and the Golden Boy Award to accompany it. Now, 20 games into the French Ligue 1 season, PSG remains unbeaten and Mbappe is topping the scoring charts, again from a wide position not as an outright striker. The former Monaco forward has 18 goals and 6 assists to his name in nothing but only 12 league starts. Only Messi has scored more among Europe’s top five leagues with 19 goals in 17 La Liga starts. He also has 4 assists and 3 goals in the champions league as he seeks to increase that tally when the Parisians take on Manchester United.

Where to from here?

It’s still one of the popular arguments surrounding the world cup winner’s potential and success, that same old song of “he has had it easy playing in an uncompetitive league or with great players surrounding him.” One thing is sure though, he seems to be the only one to have played under such circumstances and managed to pull up numbers previously associated with only Messi and Ronaldo. He might have had it easy as they say and could continue doing so as he climbs up that ladder. Maybe, just maybe he is too good to have it “easy” all the way?

The curious case of Pogba's pendulum-like performances

The case

Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on October 28, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 27, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

There he stands, looking at the goal totally unmoved but almost immediately, agrees with the crowd. He nods repeatedly and as the cameras zoom in on the French international, its evident he is uttering the words, “Pogba, Pogba, Pogba!” approving his own ingenuity. He then raises his right arm and then points to the United faithfuls suggesting it was all for them, freshly baked PogBoom, PogMade just for them. It’s one of those moments where he is completely captured in his element, moments that they who behold secretly wish they would be lifetime experiences but at the same time still in touch with reality. Such is what Paul Labile Pogba is capable of, a joy to the world even including his haters on his day, so good that you would want to eat him - but also equally frustrating on other days. He had just scored his second goal of the night, Manchester United’s third as they beat Huddersfield Town  3-1 on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer premier league return to Old Trafford. After falling out of favor in Mourinho’s United in the first half of the season, the 25-year-old born to Guinean parents, would then bag another brace in the ensuing match against Bournemouth making it 4 goals in just 2 matches. The most appropriate word to coin the moment is PogBack! But still, no one knows how long it will last.

Cloud-nine in Turin

Paul Pogba (R) of Juventus in action against Juanfran of Club Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Juventus and Club Atletico de Madrid at Juventus Arena on December 9, 2014 in Turin, Italy.

(Dec. 8, 2014 - Source: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images Europe)

We still don’t know how long it will last but it’s no secret that no living football fan would give up the opportunity to see this beastly player at his best. Perhaps only them whose teams would have the difficult job of stopping him. Born in Langy-sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne France to Guinean parents, Paul Pogba began playing football at the age of eight, together with his older brothers Florentin and Mathias who both represent the Guinean national team. He would then climb up the ranks through the academies of Roissy en Brie, Torcy and Le Havre before being captured by Manchester United in 2009. He stood out in Red Devils’ youth side and grew up to be a notable leader on and off the pitch, earning the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson who handed him three first team appearances before he left for the Serie A’s Juventus in search of some elusive game time. He felt ready for the big league but United was being extra careful and patient in involving him, so he left. Paul was 19 years-old. What followed after is no news to many, four complete years of PogBooms. He quickly became the Serie A’s most loved kid, funky hairstyles, funny celebrations and of course piledrivers that journeyed into the back of the net freely, at his own will and helping Juve to four consecutive Serie A titles and four other domestic cups. In 178 appearances across 4 years for the Old Lady, he banged 34 goals and assisted 28 others playing in the central midfield and deployed further up the pitch in a more attacking role in his latter years. These numbers actually do little justice in describing all he became adored for, nicknamed  II Polpo Paul (“Paul the Octopus”) for “his long legs that look like tentacles when he is running or tackling,” and “Pogboom” for his explosive style and boundless energy on the field of play. Strong in the air, remarkable upper and lower body strength, speed, bags of skills, flair, stamina and creativity all on in one player is unbelievable. Endowments that make a him a rare gem in the century. Manifesting all those week-in and out is entirely a different story.

The underlying fact is that in Turin, under the leading and supporting efforts of the likes of the experienced Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Andreas Pirlo in the middle of the park, he became one of the most unplayable midfielders in the world. The freedom to express himself, make mistakes with almost no team responsibility which rested on the more senior players, groomed him to become world’s most expensive football player at the time. Eventually returning to the Old Trafford for a then record ee of  €105 million. Ironically, the boy who left Manchester returned a man and the responsibilities of the club would soon be bestowed on him.

Paul ain’t the answer, he is the fun

Paul Pogba of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

(July 14, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Now, here is the meat of my argument. Pogba is less of “your professional footballer” working so hard on his “career,” he just likes playing football and gets paid big money while he is at it. He is not too far from the category of the Ronaldinhos or his boyhood hero, the Brazilian Ronaldo. Paul returned to Manchester at a time where the mighty United and Mourinho were desperate to return to legendary status after some sorry years with David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal. He was meant to be a main ingredient in the answer, which is so contrary to his nature. The pressures of the price tag and the hype around him, choked the player in an interesting way. Paul just remained himself in the midst of all the expectations. He joked, cut his hair, made some mistakes and worked on his game and development while at it. It just didn’t happen at the rate at which Manchester United and the world wanted him to. Just like at Juventus, he still maintained the 9 goal a season and served up 5 assists - but it was not enough, everyone wanted more. Still, not many got it, that Paul is not a numbers footballer, he is the fun. The guy who gives you goosebumps on the pitch more often than goals. Even at international level for France at the UEFA Euro 2016, because he costed so much, everyone expected something from him. He received a fair share of criticism for some of his performances at the tournament inviting the likes of English legend Gary Lineker to tweet asking if “he is the world’s most overrated player.” Two more matches against Iceland and Germany in the semi-final, Paul burst to redeem himself playing in his favored slightly attacking midfield role, afforded more freedom by Didier Deschamps who introduced N’golo Kante to focus more on the defensive side of the work. Even at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Kante-Pogba recipe became the winning formula for France’s success. Less of Kante helping defensively but mostly because the team’s responsibility didn’t entirely rest on him. He got breathing and creative space as the likes of Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud and Lloris were handed just as much responsibility.

“Still, not many got it, that Paul is not a numbers footballer, he is the fun. The guy who gives you goosebumps on the pitch more often than goals.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

What really is the issue here?

Actually my argument can be summarised as follows. Paul Pogba is obviously a leader, having led the French U-20 side to a FIFA World Cup title in 2013. But it’s not because he is your “serious guy” pushing other teammates but simply because he is a hype man. He creates the atmosphere in the dressing room and jokes with almost everyone in the team. He is a growing footballer who can take shared responsibility and gets into his element when allowed space and freedom to just be himself. That’s how you get more from him. France and Juventus learnt to do just that and got their player. He is primarily the curator of experiences, with a “penchant to do the spectacular” before he is your numbers player. Of course goals and assists are important but Paul gives much more of what has become increasingly scarce in the modern digitized game.

Nicolas Pépé - The Ivorian wonder who owned Ligue 1 in September

Nicolas Pepe of the Ivory Coast in action during the International Friendly match between the Netherlands and Ivory Coast held at De Kuip or Stadion Feijenoord on June 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

(June 3, 2017 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

In my mind, there are four different kinds of football players. They are as follows; general, exciting, efficient and exciting and efficient football players. I won’t dive deep into explaining their differences or similarities because like I said, they only exist in the fantasy of my mind. Nothing official. One player who definitely falls into the exciting+efficient category is one Nicolas Pepe, the 23-year-old Ivorian who pipped all the amazing footballers based in France, to the Ligue 1 Player of the Month Award for September. Yes, inclusive of Neymar and Mbappe. So who is he?

Pepe plays for Ligue 1 outfit, Lille, and has been in their books since June 2017. He was born in France to Ivorian parents and played for the lower league clubs before making a professional debut with Angers in November 2014. Remember the unwritten rule of left-footed players I made reference to in the playmaker, Hakim Ziyech’s article - Pepe also satisfies the condition. The young forward prefers playing from a wide wing position from whence he can cut inside with ease and cause all sorts of problems to opposition defenders. He is that morden winger who cuts inside and scores goals even taking up a striking role when called upon. The 23-year-old can lay up “on a silver platter” assists with a touch of a shoelace, chop down defenders with a glance and has a good enough pace to call upon in times of need. Perhaps, just like Neymar - not too much pace but one that’s deadly when combined with dribbles. Most importantly, he scores goals. From the penalty spot, outside the penalty box, one-on-ones, from wide areas, you name them. Like I said, he is exciting+efficient.

Nicolas Pepe’s dynamic style of play has seen him score 19 goals in 43 appearances for LOSC Lille in his young career. He bagged four goals and assisted one other in September 2018 to win the monthly award with three of them being a hatrick scored in 3-2 win against Amiens. Pepe became the first African player to win the award since Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal took it home in 2016. Second-placed Lille will be hoping  Pepe maintains his electric form as they face Dijon in a league game on Saturday. With the partnership with 22-year-old French footballer of Ivorian descent, Jonathan Bamba looking formidable at Lille, there is no telling how far this kid will go.

“The 23-year-old can lay up “on a silver platter” assists with a touch of a shoelace, chop down defenders with a glance and has a good enough pace to call upon in times of need. Perhaps, just like Neymar - not too much pace but one that’s deadly when combined with dribbles.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Here is a short video depicting what he can do.

Issa Diop swears allegiance to France not Senegal or Morocco

The battle of retaining African talent to represent African nations continues with another promising star swearing allegiance to France. West Ham United new signing, Issa Diop follows a pack of other players of African descent who prefered to play for France. For us, it still remains a mystery why the numbers continue to increase especially considering how African teams have gotten stronger in recent years and are as good as any other team in the world. Tinotenda Magiya explores why.

Lack of connection to the roots

The France players pose for a team photo prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia.

(June 29, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Who are we to judge one’s own decision especially without enough context. Often times, some players are raised by African parents outside the motherland. Some grow up without that bond that comes from being born and raised from within the continent. That sense of patriotism you find in a Liberian for example, may not be easy to come by for a Liberian born and raised in the USA. Some are not raised speaking African vernacular which makes it hard to feel a part of a certain country or region on the continent. This does not help in their decision making because players feel responsible for helping their team and they cannot help a nation they do not relate with. Instead, we find players like Kylian Mbappe choosing to play for France despite being born of a father from Cameroon and a mother from Algeria. His whole life has been in France and he understands the French culture. As such, players swear their allegiance to nations of their upbringing and they continue to dominate.

Lack of success at the World Cup

Our continent’s lack of success in the biggest individual sporting event on the planet does not help our cause. It is every player’s dream to win the FIFA World Cup with their nation and no African country has made it to the semifinals of this competition let alone lift it. Again, this is something that a player will obviously look at when assessing their chances of winning the tournament. Picking a team like France would be a logical decision considering the experience the nation has in preparing for a tournament like that and going all the way. Not much can be said about a nation like Morocco even though they are making strides towards being a competitive team by seeding their best players in Europe's top leagues.

Small progress in developing facilities

Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United is tackled by Issa Diop (l) and Fabian Balbuena of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 28, 2018 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)

For many years, Africa has been legging far behind Europe, America and now Asia. The continent has not seen enough development in the years after colonial rule. As a result, not much progress has been made to improve the infrastructure in some African countries. Issa Diop might have considered the fact that he had to be patient with the likes of Senegal and Morocco as they slowly progress towards developing their own world class facilities that improve soccer players’ training and preparations. At 21 years of age, the young defender probably considered how short his career as a football player is and thought that it would be best to snub the African teams.

In the end, Issa Diop has decided to try his luck out with the French national team. Who can blame him? France just won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with a very young squad. They will be looking to dominate like that Spanish side with that Barcelona and Real Madrid core - and Issa Diop wants to be a part of that. We wish him the very best in his national career for he is a great prospect with so much potential.

But what does this mean for Africa? What do we have to do in order to avoid this from happening again?

“Issa Diop might have considered the fact that he had to be patient with the likes of Senegal and Morocco as they slowly progress towards developing their own world class facilities that improve soccer players’ training and preparations.”

— Tinotenda Magiya, FirstTouch Africa

1. Develop World Class facilities. There is so much raw talent from within the continent and abroad. These facilities could motivate them to choose their mother nation.

2. Compete at the highest level. Export the energy from the African Cup of Nations to the FIFA World Cup and play without fear. Africa needs to be taken seriously.

3. Offer international call ups to young players to show faith in their talent. This could fend off interest from big European teams who are not likely to pick young players for their first team.

Is Dembele ready to share Messi's Barcelona "burden"?

False start

Many believed Ousmane Dembele’s first season at the Catalans would be excellent considering the hefty prize tag that came with the player’s move from former club Borussia Dortmund in 2017. He was bought by the club for a price of €147 million as a replacement for Brazilian dynamite, Neymar but life at the Camp Nou did not quite kickoff well for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner. A combination of long term injuries as well as lack of game time were some of the reasons for the Frenchman's disappointing  first season at the club. In the summer of 2018, barely a year into his Barca career, there were already rumours linking him with a loan move away from the club, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool vying for his signature. However all of that did not materialize and the Frenchman declared at the start of the season that he was staying put with the club.

The Usain Bolt kind of start

Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group B match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Barcelona and PSV at Camp Nou on September 18, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

(Sept. 17, 2018 - Source: Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe)

Fast forward to the current 2018/19 season, all that seems to be changing. The new  La Liga campaign has started off on a high note for Dembele as he has been in the thick of things in many of his team’s first few games. In his first three games for the club this season, Dembele has scored two goals, showing the quality that he can be key in easing the pressure off Lionel Messi and Suarez in terms of scoring as well as creating goals. Although he did not get a lot of game-time in France’s ridiculously talented squad during the recent world cup, Dembele has not let that affect him as he has began the new season on a high.

Most fans believe that Dembele’s growth at the club will be enhanced by having Lionel Messi supporting him. Barca’s main man is the central point of Barca’s every move thus Dembele should aim to learn more from the little Argentine magician in terms of both his decision-making and movement around the pitch. That way he will be able to exert himself properly and increase the confidence coach Ernesto Valverde has in him. What is more more, being surrounded by a great deal of other quality players such as Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez will certainly be beneficial for “Mosquito’s” development, More so ease the pressure that came with his price tag. On his best day, Dembele can embarrass the best of wing backs with his blistering pace and endless dribbling ability, which are some of the qualities that made the club gain interest in the player.

“Fast forward to the current 2018/19 season, all that seems to be changing. The new  La Liga campaign has started off on a high note for Dembele as he has been in the thick of things in many of his team’s first few games.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

I personally consider Dembele to be in the top ten world’s best young players because of his raw talent. He is that type of player who has the potential to be the best player provided he gets the right mentoring and enough game time. Ernesto Valverde has been slowly throwing the Frenchman into the thick of things this season and I am sure most Barca supporters are enjoying that and would hope that they will see more of Dembele this season. After all, he is the fourth most expensive player on the planet and I am persuaded many would agree with me that Ousmane is certainly too good to rot on the bench. The 2018/2019 season seems to be the one for Dembele to finally stamp his authority and secure his place in the talented Barcelona squad.

Now more than ever

Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Presnel Kimpembe of France celebrate victory following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

(July 14, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Barca seems to be in kind of a renaissance with loads of talent brought in the summer such as  the 21-year-old Malcolm, Arturo Vidal, Lenglet and another Brazilian in Arthur. The old guns who carried Barcelona through many years of glory, that is the Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Pique and Messi have all moved on or are soon to depart and make way for the new. They seem to be figuring out a new style of play and Messi remains the stabilizing factor in the far from smooth transition period. Dropping seven points in the past three La Liga games against Girona, Leganes and Athletic Club, is so much unlike Barcelona. There is no better for Dembele to take some pressure over Messi and make an undisputed claim for a key role in the club that is reinventing itself.

Will he continue rising to the occasion? Should the new Barcelona be built around him? Have your say in the comment box below.

FT Impact Player Series: Is Man City's Ben Mendy, Superhuman?

We always like to pause and zoom in a little on some unique talents in the game today. Today, we are crossing over to the blue-half of Manchester and think out loud about the incredible talent that is Benjamin Mendy, a French defender with African roots, Senegal to be specific. Let us briefly look at three things that Benjamin Mendy gives the Premier League champions, Manchester City. You will give a ruling at the end on whether the 24-year-old is human or an alien meant to be playing some unknown galaxy football.

Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Aug. 18, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Energy, pace and power

Mendy rose to prominence in the 2016/17 season where he was a key defensive component of the young Monaco team that won the French Ligue 1 and reached the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. His switch to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City the following season for £52 million pounds, a then record move for a defender, was part of the infamous exodus of talent from Monaco with the likes of Bakayoko, Mbappe and Bernardo Silva also leaving for big monies. In particular, Guardiola’s acqusition of Mendy for that kind of price seemed ridiculous at the time especially given the fact he had likewise spent big on other fullbacks in the form of Kyle Walker and Danilo - but he sure had a plan and how dare we questioned the wisdom of the Spaniard. The record 100 Premier League points amassed in a title winning campaign for Manchester City was the result. Of course we did not see a lot of Mendy in this record-breaking season because of the ligament injury that sidelined him for the greater part of the season. Now that he is back, most are starting to appreciate why Pep brought him to the club. No one owns the left flank of the pitch like Ben does. He literally runs up and down that channel for the full ninety minutes without showing any signs of exhaustion. His built body allows him to shove most if not all opponents with ease and his carefree personality even shows up on the pitch in form of the risks he takes upfield. Do not be mistaken, Mendy is no dribbler or slick like “modern full-backs” such as Marcelo, Jordi Alba, Alex Sandro or Dani Alves. It’s simply raw energy, pace and power with a defined ability to make pin-point crosses into the box. Think of him as a really accurate bulldozer that does not just go through stuff senselessly.

Even though Manchester City brought only Riyad Mahrez in the summer, with Mendy back, they are looking anew. Guardiola’s tactical tweaks have seen Ben Mendy playing as hybrid and left-back /central midfielder, something we are not sure has ever existed. In his first four premier league appearances, Mendy has provided three assists, made 25 crosses into the box, created two big chances and was also heavily involved in two other goals. Yes, its no cheap talk here - Mendy is real.

“We could not demand Delph and Zinchenko to do what Benjamin Mendy does, in terms of going up and down the wing, attacking space and having his physicality because they have different physical conditions.

We saw Mendy’s quality at Monaco in France, his quality to go forward. When a player has this quality, we must use it, because it’s his ability to create problems.”

— Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Manager

A cool kid

Benjamin Mendy of France celebrates following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.

(July 14, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Europe)

Besides the 2018 world cup winner’s footballing abilities, Ben Mendy is what everyone would wish for in a team’s dressing room. Within days of arriving at Guardiola’s camp, the Manchester All or nothing documentary reveals that the Frenchman was already cracking some jokes and teasing his new teammates in beginner’s English spoken with his French accent. A personality truly unique to fearless champions. He is one of the loudest guys in the dressing room, perhaps the most active football player on social media who always has one or two things to laugh about. You may remember the person in jeans who uncomfortably ran onto the pitch to celebrate Raheem Sterling’s last minute winner against Southampton in the 2017/18 EPL season, that was injured Benjamin Mendy. He even started taking selfies with Sterling afterwards in front of cameras. That’s just the way Ben is, serious and unserious at the same time. Many people like him off-the pitch and he is simply iresistable on it, how can it be? Is he human and perhaps the 21st century definition of perfection.

Most team’s battles are won 60% off the pitch and 40% on it, with Ben Mendy adding value both ways - France and Manchester City really have a lot to be thankful of. Just ask Olivier Giroud, a striker who was on a goal drought stretching back to the pre-world cup fixtures, Mendy came very late on for France as a substitute in their recent UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands and saved the day. Courtesy of a delightful Mendy cross.

“Mendy is Mendy. He is what he is. Sometimes you want to kill him. Sometimes you say ‘wow, what a player we have. Mendy has a lot of things to improve. Hopefully we can convince him to be calm and forget a bit the social media and focus on what he has to do.”

— Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Manager

FT Hidden Gem Series: Who is Tinotenda Kadewere?

More often than not, people focus on the players that are already known in the most famous leagues in Europe. Not many of us take time to appreciate a rare talent that continues to escape the radar. Look at Jamie Vardy for instance, he shined in England at the age of 28, but who knew about him before then? In this piece, we look at a certain talent from the country of Zimbabwe before he blows up and becomes one of your favorite African players in no time. Here’s what Tinotenda Kadewere is about.

Background

Tino Kadewere was born on the 5th of January in 1996. He started his career at Harare City in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League at the age of 18 where he scored 7 goals just halfway into his debut campaign. In 2014, he left Harare City for Djugardens on a loan deal with an obligation to buy him on a 4-year-long deal. It is at the Swedish club that he started to grow not only in terms of his technical abilities but also his physique. Two years down the line, the Zimbabwean striker was a few inches taller and staking a claim for a place in the AFCON games played in Gabon. Although he failed to make an appearance in the tournament, he was inspired by his involvement in the dressing room and he sought to use that experience to push for further success at his club, Djugardens. Tinotenda famously scored 4 goals for Djugardens in a single league match which is a record that had not been matched since 1978. This summer, French Ligue 2 side, Le Havre scooped him from the Swedish team for a fee reported to be in the region of $2.5 million.

Photo: Kenta Jönsson/Bildbryan

On his move

Tinotenda was excited to take the next step in his football career by moving to the French side in July 2018. Who wouldn’t be? This is the country where players like Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Didier Drogba etc. made a name for themselves. This league also worked as a stepping stone for them when they eventually made their big moves to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea. This should be very encouraging to the young player who is hungry for success. He said, “It’s good news for me as a footballer to make another step, but it’s also bad news because I don’t know how I will live in France without all these Djurgardens people.” He was obviously emotional about leaving the club that showed faith in him when he was just a teenager and gave him the chance to play European football.

On his attributes

Tino Kadewere’s favorite position is centre forward. He is an Aubameyang-type of a striker who works best on the shoulders of the defense and can use his lethal pace to beat his markers before scoring goals. It is no surprise that he had already scored 8 goals in 12 matches this season with his pace a menace for defenders in the Swedish First Division. His physique has been growing by the years and he no longer looks like someone who could be budged off the ball like many strikers of his age.

Just like many talented players, he is also capable of playing in a number of positions on the pitch. His pace and trickery also warrants him a place on either flanks because Kadewere is confident that he can beat any defender as long as he has the ball in his feet. These attributes are the reasons why he was deployed on the flanks during his High School years. Obviously, he is no Jay Jay Okocha with the ball yet but the sky is the limit for the 22-year-old Zimbabwean. It is easy to see how this type of player can fit in the squads of the big teams around Europe. Real Madrid have one in Lucas Vazquez who comes off the bench as an impact player. Even Arsenal have that in Alex Iwobi who offers something different from the flanks. Maybe Tino could be that for a team like Chelsea in England or Atletico Madrid in Spain.

On his Injury

If you did not know, Tino Kadewere picked up an injury which was later revealed to be internal ligament damage in his left knee. He had this to say about his injury, “It is obviously boring but it is also part of the football at the same time. Now, the only thing that matters to me is to fix this and come back even stronger.” This injury did not scare off interest from Le Havre who still invested in his services despite the fact that the player was facing 8-10 weeks on the sidelines. It is quite rare to find in football that a club pays so much money for a young player let alone someone who is injured. However, they are confident in his ability and potential to become a great player for the club and rightly so. Tino is a player on the rise.

Achievements:

1. The 22-year old guided his old club, FC Djugardens to the 2017/18 Svenska Cupen on the 10th of May, 2018. He scored four of the 14 goals by the club in the tournament. This trophy was the first title for the club since 2013.

2. Kadewere won the COSAFA Cup (a tournament organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations) with his nation on the 9th of June 2018 just a month after lifting a trophy with his club. The young forward scored a brace in the final against Zambia and provided one in a 4-2 victory for the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

FT African Legends Series: Salif Keita, a forgotten hero?

African football has much to thank for the legacy of a certain Salif Keita who played in Europe between 1967 and 1980. There is another famous person who goes by the name Salif Keita but he is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. Our FirstTouch Legend Keita, is the uncle to the Seydou Keita who played for Barcelona recently. Let’s take you through the career of the goal scoring machine that earned our African Football Legendary status.

Background

Also known as ‘The Black Pearl of Bamako’, Salif Keita was born in Mali in December 1946. He moved to France in 1967 to pursue his career in soccer at AS Saint-Etienne where he won three Ligue 1 titles. Keita scored an astonishing 71 league goals in his two seasons at the club. He moved on to fellow Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille in 1972 after scoring 42 goals in his last season for his former club and failing to win any silverware. His time at Marseille was cut short after the club tried to force him to assume French nationality so that he could represent them on the international scene. Keita was a proud African and he refused those advances which saw him leaving for the Spanish side, Valencia. Racism was still rife during those days which is evidenced by a headline which read, “Valencia goes out to buy Germans and comes back with a black man.” However, he was loved by his new club who gave him the nickname, ‘La Perla Negra de Mali’ which translates to The Black Pearl of Mali. He later played for Sporting Clube de Portugal before moving to New England Tea Men in the MLS where he retired at the age of 34.

Contribution To The Game

Salif Keita was one of the first soccer players that shone in the Number 10 jersey and made it as famous as it is today. He dazzled fans in Europe with his amazing dribbling ability carrying that number at the back which inspired many players who followed. Soccer greats like Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, and others have worn this shirt which is respected and usually reserved for the best players on the team. Without Keita carrying 10, the jersey might not have been as significant as it is present day football. The game has evolved over the years but much respect should be reserved for the Malian striker who left a mark in the sport which many now call their religion.

Soccer took its time to rise up in terms of popularity within the US. Many suggested that the culture in the country is a major reason why this is. They alluded that Americans are generally interested in sports in which there are a lot of scores. This affected their perception of soccer which sometimes has matches that end in goalless draws. During Salif Keita’s time, however, this would not have been a concern. The striker was famous for scoring goals. As mentioned earlier he scored a total of 71 goals in two seasons during his stint at AS Saint-Etienne. He was a joy to watch. These numbers are difficult to match in the present day with only a handful of players reaching these numbers on a consistent basis.  

Salif Keita left a legacy in the game. His nephew Seydou Keita carried the family torch after him as he played for Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. As football fans, nothing beats the feeling we get when we see a young player following in the footsteps of our former heroes. Think of Jay-Jay Okocha for example, and his nephew Iwobi. These youngsters are adored in the sport because they bring memories of players who shed their sweat, blood, and tears to entertain the millions of soccer fans who watch the games. Salif Keita was one of the players who inspired their family members to play soccer and supported them throughout their career. We have him to thank for that.

If you were wondering what type of a striker he was, think of Cristiano Ronaldo. Keita was ruthless in front of goal but also had the composure and trickery to create space for himself and beat opponents before rifling in a shot past the goalkeeper. He was also versatile and could play anywhere up front. If you recall how Edinson Cavani adjusted his game during his early years at PSG where he played out wide, that paints a picture of how Keita was when he was asked to play for Valencia. He had a football brain so it was easy for him to play in any position.

Image Credit: Bamada.net

Today, many players are seen moving to the MLS in the later stages of their career. Football greats such as Kaka, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all plied their trade in the US in their 30s. This was started by Keita who moved to the MLS in 1979 and has become a trend for many star players who are looking for some competition before retirement. The Malian forward has clearly left a mark on the game of soccer.

Also, we look at his ranking among FirstTouch African Legends. It is only fair to compare him with fellow African players who played in the same position. There are probably just three players ahead of him i.e. Eto’o, Rodger Milla and Didier Drogba. This is only because these other players were more consistent than him and played on the biggest stage for a long time. They also managed to win multiple African Player of the Year awards as compared to Keita’s sole accolade awarded in 1970.

Life After Football

1. In 1994, Keita created the first training center for professional football players in Mali

2. June 2005, he was elected president of the Mali Football Federation

3. A year later, the Confederation of African Football selected him as one of the best 200 African Soccer players of the past 50 years

4. Since 2007, he has been acting as a delegated minister of the Prime Minister of Mali

FT French Ligue 1 Preview: PSG must win the UEFA Champions League to keep Neymar

The Brazilian sensation left Barcelona in a bid to step out of Messi’s shadow and achieve his goals of winning the Ballon d’Or at the French giants Paris-Saint Germain. He hoped that the club’s recruitment policy would give him an edge when the tournament commences and that they would be able to recruit the best players who would be able to compete at the highest level. Last season, PSG failed to make it past Real Madrid in the round-of-16. This year, they will have to do better than that if they are to stand a chance to fend off interest from the likes of Real Madrid in keeping their star player at the club. In this feature story, we look at how the club can be able to win the title.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Neymar of PSG embrace at half time during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Bernabeu on February 14, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.

(Feb. 13, 2018 - Source: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Europe)

The recruitment of the Italian and Juventus legend, Gianluigi Buffon to beef up their goalkeeper position is nothing but a positive signing for the club. The legend brings his vast amount of experience to a squad that looked out of character when they were dispatched by Real Madrid last year. PSG needed a commanding number 1, and they have got their man who will organise his defence and hopefully prevent the best players in the world from scoring past him. Apart from that, he also brings his winning mentality. Buffon won the last 7 Serie A titles in a row with Juve and is also a 2006 FIFA World Cup winner. He has been around for a long time and knows how to compete. The UEFA Champions League title is a trophy that has eluded him, and he will be as hungry as Neymar to win it this year.

Football is a team sport. Neymar cannot win the trophy on his own. He will need his teammates to bring their A game to the table if they really want him to stay at the Parc des Princes. This means that players like Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani have to bring their World Cup form to Paris and help Neymar push for the title. The former is a teenage sensation who shined at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia but was went hiding when PSG faced Real Madrid in the 2017/18 season. He should be looking to grow from that experience and carry his form into the coming season. Cavani was also at the focal point of Uruguay’s success at the tournament before picking up an injury that kept him out of the squad that was eliminated by France. The whole team has to be at their best this season and play to Neymar’s strengths if they want him to lead them to European glory.

Neymar of Brazil reacts after a missed opportunity during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belguim at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia.

(July 5, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

There are rumours that PSG wants to sign N’Golo Kante from Chelsea this season. The 27-year old is a midfield destroyer who has been at the heart of successes of the best teams in recent years. He first led his club Leicester to the EPL title in 2015/16 before winning it again the following year with Chelsea. This year, he was trusted with the defensive responsibilities in the French team that lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup trophy. N’Golo Kante is famous for stopping Messi, arguably the world’s best player, in his tracks and preventing Argentina from making it to the quarter-final stage. PSG need a player like Kante who could strike a partnership with Marco Verratti in the spine of the French team and protect the backline. Whether the club will actually get to sign him from the English side remains to be seen, but it is clear that they would stand a better chance of winning the most prized asset in European club football if they have the defensive midfielder on their books.

Sometimes a good run in the tournament requires some bit of luck. The draw did not favour the club in the previous season. PSG were unfortunate to face the defending champions in the round-of-16 in the 2017/18 season . This year, they would want to avoid the biggest teams in the tournament at the early stage as they build momentum. However, some argue that you have to beat the best teams in the competition to be called the best. What do you think that PSG has to do to keep Neymar at the club after this season?

FT English Premier League Preview: Can Pogba Help Lead Man United To The Title?

Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old trafford on April 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. “Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe”

Surely this has to be the Frenchman’s season, or so we think. His heroic exploits in the World Cup where he helped the French national team claim football’s greatest prize, have not gone unnoticed. Paul Pogba’s time to shine is now. The Manchester United talisman has received his fair share of criticism both at the club and national level for all the wrong reasons. Some cite his failure to offer more defensive work in his game, some criticize him for trying to do too much (or little) with the ball, and lest we forget, he’s also received stick for his numerous hairstyles which have been said to somewhat contribute to his disappointing displays at times. Nonetheless, the real question to be addressed right now is can he replicate his France form to the Red Devils’ midfield, going into the new season? Let’s wait and see.

Paul Pogba’s time at Manchester United has been rather bittersweet. Carrying a record-breaking $90 million price tag on his shoulders, the stakes were bound to be high for the Frenchman and they surely have been. In his first season, Pogba had quite an average season by his standards, chipping in with 5 goals and 4 assists in the league. Fast forward to the 2017/18 season, the stats didn’t change much, though we did see some improvements. Pogba managed to score 6 goals and provided 6 assists in what was rather a mixed season for him as his problems and consistency with fully expressing himself on the field continued.

Pogba’s season was filled with loads of activity, good and interesting. For instance, his perceived “fallout” with Jose Mourinho in the middle of the season affected the player’s morale as criticism of his play flew in left, right and center. The bone of contention about Pogba’s play has been more about his failure to assist his teammates defensively, exposing the already suspect Man United defense with the inconsistent midfield cover. This was largely attributed to the way Mourinho was deploying the charismatic Frenchman, playing him in a two-man defensive midfield alongside Nemanja Matic. This made Pogba get caught out of possession countless times, something that infuriated Mourinho who is a master of keeping things tight with his teams. As Pogba”s struggles continued to haunt him, Mourinho set tongues wagging when he started benching the Frenchman in a couple of United’s games, opting for the young Scott Mctominay instead. Many assumed Mourinho was trying to teach Pogba “a lesson” for his disappointing and inconsistent displays, but the Portuguese coach was quick to squash those allegations, citing that Pogba had not been playing at the level he wanted him to play at.

Most Manchester United fans were hoping that Matic’s signing would “unlock” Paul Pogba’s offensive prowess and enable him to provide those key passes and open up defenses with his defense-splitting passes. However, that wasn’t necessarily the case. The glimpses of what he can do were existent nonetheless. A good example that comes to mind was during the Manchester derby where Pogba played a pivotal role in helping United overcome runaway title winners City in a 3-2 victory. In that game, Pogba looked like his former Juventus self, winning balls and initiating attacks for the Red Devils, doing pretty much what we expect of him in every game.

In the lead up to the World Cup, there were worries that Pogba’s place in the France team was not guaranteed due to his poor form at United with some of the French fans even turning against the player. However, coach Didier Deschamps showed Pogba support and assured him of his key role in the French midfield. And indeed he seemed to be proven right as Pogba’s World Cup displays started to accrue more consistency and effectiveness. He was a threat going forward, always looking for the likes of Mbappe and Griezzman with his inch-perfect passes to unlock defenses. Defensively he also did due diligence as he was constantly falling back to assist Kante and company. Moreover, he also scored some crucial goals for France, including one in the final. Overall, Pogba’s World Cup play was a refreshing reminder of the talent he possesses and how impactful of a player he can be when motivated. It was like he had something to prove to the world and especially his critics, those of whom have been on his case for some time now. He definitely proved us wrong (his celebrations at the end of the final said it all). Every Manchester United fan was most definitely pleased with Pogba’s World Cup showing and are surely hoping that he can bring that form to the United team when the season commences.

With the World Cup being signed, sealed and delivered (to France), the focus has now shifted to club level for all players, Pogba included. As mentioned before, the expectations remain high for him and rightly so. I personally believe Pogba has all the attributes to become the best midfielder in the world and emulate the midfield greats such as Luka Modric and Andres Iniesta. Some blame his poor form at club level on Jose Mourinho’s defensive tactics which do not allow Pogba to have the freedom he needs in order to thrive. The validity of that assertion is rather open for various interpretations. But what I know for a fact is that Manchester United can get the best out of Pogba with him playing further up the pitch where he doesn’t have to worry too much about defensive duties. Perhaps the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Fred is the right tonic for Pogba’s chance to shine. It is expected that United will mostly play a three-man midfield with Fred and Matic taking care of the defensive duties and Pogba being the man more responsible for the creativity going forward from midfield. This is what most United fans want, for Pogba’s sake but it all boils down to Mourinho’s preference and we all know he can be very unpredictable with his lineups. Nonetheless, the presence of Fred should surely be the key to unleashing Pogba.

Above all, Pogba’s potential cannot be overlooked. We know he’s one of the best passers of the ball and on his day can make the tightest of defenses look ordinary with his mouth watering passes. His switch of play, footwork, and flair make him lethal and a threat against anyone. As such, coming off a successful World Cup, things look promising for Pogba and many believe the real Pogba will be unleashed this season. Great times lie ahead in the Premier League and many will be keeping tabs on Pogba’s performances. Hopefully, he will shame his critics and earn the respect he deserves with some outstanding performances throughout the season. More importantly, I believe Pogba is the one man who can help the Red Devils wrestle the title away from their cross-town rivals Manchester City and finally satiate the hopes of United fans longing for Premiership glory, a triumph of which they last enjoyed during Sir Alex Ferguson’s era.

FT Post World Cup 2018: The Day Morocco Bullied Portugal

A Few Weeks Before This Day

At the end of the 90 minutes, I was kicking myself trying to conceive how Morocco lost that Group B clash against the European champions, Portugal. In fact, I am still questioning myself hoping to get answers on the Lions of the Atlas’ ordeal. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the match, cheering on, commentating and at times giving instructions through the television, as if they could actually hear me. That is just some hindsight into the level of passion I felt, which can be hardly described with words. At the end of the day, I was thoroughly entertained but walked away with a sinking feeling which has driven me to reflect in this piece.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Objectively, this is not just a “make Africa look good piece.” I am not a data junkie but let us look at the stats of the match for a second. Morocco had more of the ball with 55% possession, they also had five more shots than Portugal with a total of 15 shots with twice as many on target than their opposition. They had a superior passing accuracy of 76.4% compared to Portugal’s 71.7%, more passes in the attacking third, more key passes, more corners, more dribbles, more recoveries; essentially more of everything in attack. I am sure you are getting the picture now, Morocco actually bullied the 4th ranked team in the world. Hakeem Ziyech literally owned the midfield cutting inside from the left flank, Nordin Amrabat was unstoppable and the defense marshall, captain Mehdi Benatia adopted a second role - heading the ball goalwards at the wake of the countless opportunities, almost like a second striker.

The Significance

This was really huge to me as far as breaking stereotypes is concerned. African teams have been overtime described as “physical” which actually implies that they lack tactical awareness, organization, and are void of the ability to entertain. For the first time in my life, on the biggest stage of them all, I witnessed a European team pushed to the brink and made to defend in numbers, in other words, “park the bus”. Let me be clear, I do not see it in the view of the underappreciated rising to the occasion to prove haters wrong - shouting “I told you so,” but rather, in the light of football is a testament that no particular group of individuals has the inalienable right to mastery and dominance. Everyone can master and dominate, not just in sport but in everything. Allow me to echo the timeless declaration that all men are created equal with the hope that the more we roar it out, the more we move to actualize it.

Every Team Needs A Ronaldo

I am always reminded by my peers that in the end “football is about scoring goals.” Well, I actually concede to that fact but I cannot be robbed of the celebration of broken stereotypes. This gets me to the next point in moving past the “feel good dimension” to that of winning. Arguably the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo actually won that particular match and many others for his country. The recent addition to the Juventus squad delivered a lightning header in the 4th minute from a corner kick, which sealed the points for the European champions. As we celebrate the progression of African football in the context of the Moroccans, I suggest we also aspire not to just do enough but be the best. My hope and prayer are that the small boys and girls in the forgotten and well-known parts of the continent may grind as much as Ronaldo with the belief that they will seize even the smallest of opportunities, become the best players in the world and win battles for their nations.

Morocco finished the 2018 FIFA world cup campaign in Russia, bottom of Group B with a single point after having lost the opening match to Iran courtesy of an injury-time own goal, another loss to Portugal and drew 2-2 with the 2010 World Champions, Spain. The Moroccan matches were some of the most breathtaking matches of my 2018 World Cup experience.

Continue roaring, Lions of the Atlas!