Ghana’s continuous rise has given many hope about the chances of an African nation winning the World Cup in the future.
The continent had six representatives prior to the start of the World Cup finals in South Africa but as the competition heads into the quarter-final stages beginning Friday, Africa can boost of just one, Ghana.
Brazil’s World Cup winning captain, Cafu is backing an African success in the future but adds that only if the game continues on the right path as he uses the Ghana model as his benchmark.
“If we look at what Ghana has achieved so far, we can be certain that one African team will eventually win a World Cup.”
Ghana, who play Uruguay in the quarter-finals Friday at Soccer City, are the only African side from the group stage now have the chance of advancing to the last four by surpassing the quarter-final achievements of Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002 to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
Cafu, 40, Brazil’s most capped player, told a media briefing: “What we are seeing nowadays, is African teams who are more responsible, more committed, and more aware of what is needed of them and the responsibility behind representing their continent.”
“As far as winning a World Cup such as this, I believe that first of all you need to have the right teams, the right determination and of achieving your objectives. If African teams can realize the importance of team spirit they will know that they can win a World Cup.”
The Brazilian‘s views were backed by Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the local organizing committee, who said Africa must invest in youth programs and development if it is to have any chance of winning the World Cup in the future.
“The prospects are just amazing for us. We have the possibility of an African team going beyond the frontiers never achieved by any African country, going beyond what was achieved in 1990 and again in 2002.
“Roger Milla had his last dance in the quarter-final (in 1990 with Cameroon). Ghana is already there and we hope that we can see them in the semi-final and final of the World Cup.”
But, he stressed, investment in youth programs was vital for future success.
“If you did not do well in primary or secondary school, you are not going to be a star performer at university. It is not going to happen.
“Development in football is the same. We have to, as a continent, focus on development and youth football and Ghana showed us, the next generation. That is where we must focus on the preparation for 2014 and the next World Cup.”