BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Ghana’s clash with Colombia carries an intriguing subplot.

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will be facing a team he knows well, having managed Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020.

The Portuguese tactician led the South Americans at the 2019 Copa América and remains familiar with many aspects of Colombian football.

That knowledge could prove invaluable as Ghana seek a place in the Round of 16.

The four-time African champions have already demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament and will hope Queiroz can exploit any weaknesses in a Colombian side determined to continue its own impressive campaign.

For Ghana, victory would not only secure progression but also bring Africa one step closer to ending its long wait for another deep World Cup run.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Egypt enter their meeting with Australia carrying considerable attacking momentum.

The Pharaohs have found the net in each of their last five World Cup matches, establishing a new national record and underlining their growing confidence in front of goal.

Standing between them and a place in the Round of 16 is an Australian side appearing in the knockout phase for only the third time in its history.

While the Socceroos possess valuable tournament experience and physical strength, Egypt will be encouraged by their recent scoring consistency and the form that helped them navigate the group stage.

The North Africans know that another productive attacking display could be enough to secure their passage into the next round.

Continental Hopes Rest on Three Nations

Africa began the tournament with high expectations and several teams capable of making deep runs.

However, recent days have brought familiar disappointment.

Senegal’s dramatic collapse against Belgium, DR Congo’s late defeat to England, South Africa’s narrow loss to Canada and Côte d’Ivoire’s elimination at the hands of Norway have steadily reduced the continent’s presence.

Now the responsibility falls on Cape Verde, Ghana and Egypt.

Cape Verde seek to emulate Cameroon’s famous victory over Argentina in 1990. Ghana aim to use Queiroz’s inside knowledge to overcome Colombia. Egypt hope their record-scoring streak can carry them past Australia.

By the end of Friday, Africa could still have three representatives in the Round of 16 — or none at all.

For a continent that has repeatedly flirted with World Cup glory, the next few hours could prove decisive in determining whether the African dream remains alive in North America 2026.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scored either side of halftime as Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory with a composed 2-0 win over Algeria in Vancouver on Thursday, booking a place in the Round of 16.

The Swiss, who had not won a World Cup knockout match since 1938, produced a disciplined and tactically astute display under coach Murat Yakin to eliminate the North Africans and set up a last-16 clash against either Colombia or Ghana next Tuesday at BC Place.

In a fascinating tactical battle, Yakin outwitted Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, the former Switzerland manager who spent seven years in charge of the European side between 2014 and 2021. Switzerland were content to absorb pressure, sit deep and strike on the counterattack, a plan that worked to perfection.

“We couldn’t underestimate Algeria and we had to be clinical. That clinical finishing made the difference today,” Embolo said after the match.

“It gave us the energy we needed in the first half. We could have been even more ruthless in the second half. We played with great maturity. We have to stay humble and keep working.”

Switzerland struck with their first meaningful attack in the 10th minute. Winning possession deep in their own half, they launched a swift counterattack through 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, whose run down the left ended with a precise pass into the path of Embolo. The striker made no mistake from close range, steering the ball past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

The early goal allowed Switzerland to retreat into a compact shape, crowding the midfield and denying Algeria space to create chances. Petkovic’s side dominated possession but struggled to penetrate the well-organised Swiss defence.

Algeria’s best opening of the first half arrived in stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a shot wide of the near post after finding a rare pocket of space.

Any hopes of an Algerian comeback suffered a major blow shortly after the restart. Switzerland attacked down the right flank, and a weak clearance from Rafik Belghali fell kindly to Ndoye, who calmly guided his shot beyond Zidane to double the lead.

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez had an opportunity to reduce the deficit almost immediately, but his effort from a central position was blocked, epitomising an evening in which the Desert Foxes struggled to find a way through.

With captain Granit Xhaka expertly marshalling the team’s defensive structure, Switzerland reverted to their counterattacking approach while Algeria became increasingly cautious about committing players forward.

The closing stages lacked drama, though Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder squandered a golden opportunity to add a third when he scuffed his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The miss mattered little as Switzerland comfortably saw out the victory to continue their World Cup campaign.

Ndoye, who was named among the standout performers, expressed relief after finally getting on the scoresheet.

“Before the World Cup, I hadn’t played for a long time, so I had to get back into the swing of things,” said the Nottingham Forest winger.

“I was really looking for that goal, and sometimes when you look for it too much, it doesn’t come. Today, I started playing by telling myself, ‘Just play the way you know how, don’t overthink it,’ and it came naturally. Our strength is knowing how to play as a team.”

For Algeria, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an encouraging campaign and also signalled the conclusion of an era.

Veteran captain Mahrez revealed after the match that the defeat was his final appearance for the national team.

“The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach,” said the 35-year-old.

“We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that.”

When asked whether the match would be his last at the World Cup, Mahrez confirmed his international retirement.

“It’s my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game,” he said.

The announcement brought the curtain down on an illustrious international career for the former African Footballer of the Year, who helped Algeria win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and inspired several memorable campaigns with the Desert Foxes.

While Algeria head home, Switzerland march on with renewed confidence, dreaming of an even deeper run as they prepare for a Round of 16 showdown against either Colombia or Ghana.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H