4 SATURDAY VISION, Saturday, October 7, 2017 GOOAL! YOUR COLUMNISTS Europe leads Russian test qualifying campaign reaches the final round, only A where they faced France, Romania and Albania seven teams have guaranteed their qualification and were only eliminated in the last round of albeit with noticeable absentees. Belgium, Spain, 16 on penalty shoot out where they succumbed Germany, Switzerland, England, Serbia and to Poland. With just a couple of rising stars as Wales were still undefeated in eight matches with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, Stoke City’s Xherdan their lead in the different nine groups looking Shakiri and Ricardo Rodriguez, Switzerland’s insurmountable. The presence of Switzerland, tactical organization and collective team effort has Serbia and Wales in that category is already quietly given the team an unbeatable outlook to attention grabbing. That each of Italy, France the envy of Italy who bore this brand before. and European champions Portugal had already Netherlands could certainly borrow some of lost a match before this week’s qualifiers and are these intangible qualities from Switzerland. Ever required to win one of the two remaining matches since their failure to qualify for Euro 2016, their to guarantee automatic qualification underpins form has been intermittent at best and pathetic the point. at worst. Once hailed as a ‘total football’ country After the disappointment of UEFA Euro 2016, with the legend of Johan Cryff, Ruud Gullit, Belgium, Spain and England have waltzed Frank Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten, Ronald through the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as if Koeman, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seerdorf, to make a statement of intent for Russia 2018. Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneider; they have England; who were humiliated by little known failed to replicate the form and performances of Iceland in the final round of 16 at Euro 2016, have 2010 and 2014 World Cups where they proved had perhaps the most surprising run in Group F good enough to have emerged champions. CHIEF FOOTBALL COLUMNIST where Slovakia and Slovenia were expected to put Captain Arjen Robben is currently isolated in up stiffer resistance. the company of pretenders Bas Dost, Memphis our titles for Germany and France; who failed to take advantage of home Depay, Marco Van Ginkel, Georginio Wijnaldum, Italy. Five titles for Brazil, two ground to win silver at Euro 2016 have been Virgil Van Dijk and Daley Blind. titles for Argentina. Contrary pushed by Sweden in Group A but have perhaps Currently third in Group A behind France to popular belief, Europe not Germany’s coach Joachim Loew has his the best individual quality of all the competing and Sweden, their final games against Belarus South America, are the lead- eyes set on 2018 World Cup in Russia teams. Yes, more impressive and greater strength and Sweden will determine whether they earn ing footballing continent. in depth than Belgium, the joint leading scorers so Boateng, Mario Goetze, Thomas Muller and Mats themselves a last ditch chance to make the final FRepresented by 54 nations in the qualifying far with 35 goals with Germany. The French cast Hummels yet they have still sleep-walked over 32 qualifiers via a play-off route. Dick Advocaat; campaign for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, include Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Thomas Lemar, Group C. With a second string youthful side, they once hailed as a magician and on his third call Europe will also contribute the highest number Blaise Matuidi, Antoinne Griezman, Alexandre comfortably won the 2017 FIFA Confederations as national team coach, has looked desolate of finalists – 14 in total – at the 32 nations Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Cup, where fresh stars emerged in Julian Draxler, throughout the qualifying campaign. He doesn’t tournament. South America, represented by Hugo Lloris. Julian Brandt, Timo Werner and Emre Can. They look a manager who can motivate the team just 10 nations in the qualifying campaign will The whole team presented by Germany, have also played the most eye catching football anymore than the waning powers of the two have only four representatives but it could be however, is better than Didier Deschamps’ during the qualifiers. veterans Robben and Sneider. five, depending on the final outcome of the play collection of individuals. It’s ominous that the The biggest shock thus far has been Switzerland No one will miss them in Russia should they fail off representatives. world champions qualifying campaign has been who lead Group B with a perfect record of eight to make the final grade. On the other hand, each So competitive has European football become hampered by indiscriminate loss of form of their wins and are ahead of Portugal by three points. of Portugal and Italy, even with some work still over the last decade, that as the current super stars Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Jerome They did not lose a game at Euro 2016 in Group do, are both expected to jump the final hurdle. World Cup: Ghana likely to be tough customers he last time a much changed side. The only space. I could understand why muddy waters. With Mawejje’s Uganda met the semblance of familiarity being The vast numbers of Jordan Ayew was dropped but return to the national team Black Stars in a that Asamoah Gyan is still professionals in Ghana’s ranks Andrés omission makes for a it looks more likely that the major competi- involved with the national team. are honestly a scary prospect, whole other story. Apart from veteran with slot into Basena’s tion the Cranes but Uganda has dealt with that being off form, he has served plan. played without fear until a Easy do and a lot more before. Egypt Ghana as well as anyone T The team that played away at visited Kampala with a mouth- could have done under the Basena’s test slight moment of madness handed the Ghanaians Congo Brazzaville did it very watering platter of professionals circumstances. Murushid Jjuuko will miss the advantage. It was 1-0, well without a farce and most with the likes of Mohammed the weekend game due to thanks to the most minuscule importantly they scored goals. Salah and so this isn’t news. Missing Cranes stars suspension. However, his of errors in the penalty area by Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah As always, in such a situation They have taken a more absence may be more costly Isaac Isinde which saw Uganda took advantage of the petulance the most important thing is an direct approach, one that has than Aucho’s but Savio Kabugo pay the price through an André from the Ayew’s to call up new ice cold attitude. paid dividends as Ghana went who hasn’t been actively on Ayew penalty. players. Ghana should be patty in our on to embarrass Congo at international scene of late will We have come close to The drill for the Cranes FAITH KIAI hands at Namboole. There is home. With the many injuries slot in. beating the Ghanaians again. should be not to overplay no doubt that the Cranes can hampering the side, they may Bassena has a chance to It’s not really rocket science but keep it simple and confident approach against throw a spanner in Ghana’s rue these omissions. do what Micho failed to but our style of approach has choose their moments, just them surprised the Pharaoh’s. wood works. The Black Stars Khalid Aucho will be a do - to take Uganda to the to go up a notch or two. This like they did against the The wingers tucked in when are coming into a rich vein huge miss today because his World Cup. He may not be as current side bares very little Egyptians. Egypt paraded Uganda was without the ball of form so much so that they composure on the ball and heavy handed as his Serbian resemblance to their side of a strong side in Kampala but were also available torus in bestowed the Ayew’s with a positional sense have helped predecessor but he can get the three years ago. Today Ghana is but Uganda’s proactive and when the ball was played into break. the Cranes navigate many best out of his players.