Soccer fans in Enugu have said that Senegal’s 2-1 victory over Poland in their Group H opening encounter at the Russia 2018 World Cup would inspire other African teams to do well.

The fans, who hailed the heroics of the Senegalese in the match on Tuesday, urged other African teams that lost their opening games to rise to the occasion and qualify for the round of 16.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Enugu that the victory would inspire other African teams who lost first matches of the competition to do better in their next matches.

However, the teams, included Nigeria who have lost 0-1 to the Vatreni of Croatia, Egypt who lost 0-1 to Uruguay and 1-3 to Russia, Morocco who lost 0-1 to Iran and 0-1 to Portugal and Tunisia who lost 1-2 to England.

But in spite of the optimism, two of africa’s representatives – Egypt and Morocco — have lost their second matches in their various groups.

NAN reports that Nigeria will take on Strakkmir Okkar of Iceland on Friday and Tunisia later.

Rangers’ Media Officer Norbert Okolie said that Senegal did not only make their countrymen proud but the entire African countries.

“It was a good outing against one of the European representatives, Poland and this is what we expect from other African representatives.

“Although other African representatives gave their all but they were late down with late goals and they have to be careful in their next matches if they really want to make it to the round of 16,’’ he said.

The Coach of FC Star Plus of Ngwo, Enugu, Anistar Izuikem, said that Senegal stood a better chance of making it to the round of 16 compared to other African teams.

“I am not saying that other African representatives cannot make it to the next round but winning your first match gives a team an added advantage over others in a group.

“With the fact that Germany lost their first match 1-0 to Mexico, Portugal playing out 3-3 with Spain and other surprise results, anything can happen in the second round of matches,’’ he said.

Blaise Ude expressed the belief that Senegal and Nigeria could make it to the next round but doubts the possibility of Tunisia, considering their next opponents in the group.

He also expressed fear for Nigeria, noting that the country could make it if they win Iceland convincingly on Friday and with even a slim victory over Argentina on June 26.

Austin Ezenwata, a football viewing centre operator, said that it was only the Senegal national team that had shown the African mentality.

He called on African teams to stop conceding late goals which had cost Senegal their victory on Tuesday if not that they were already two goals up before Poland consolation goal late in the match.

“For African teams to reach the round of 16, they must learn how to start well and finish strongly because many of them could not finish well at the goal post.

“Teams like Morocco and Egypt conceded late goals in their opening games, while Nigeria and Tunisia’s hope of coming back were dashed late in their matches,’’ Ezenwata said. (NAN)

– Jun. 20, 2018 @ 15:12 GMT |