African nations' World Cup curse struck again

Football has consistently been unfair to Africa. Every four years they vow to compete amongst the world's elite, but the same tragedy repeats itself each time. The 2018 World Cup in Russia has been no exception for the four African nations that competed: Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia.

1982 World Cup in Spain

Cameroon were kept out of the knockout stages, after drawing three consecutive matches in the group stage, equal to Italy. Unfortunately for Cameroon, the Italians were handed a free pass to the next round by having one more goal in their favour.

Algeria also fell at the first hurdle despite winning two of their three games. It was West Germany and Austria who pipped them to the top two spots with a superior goal difference.

1986 World Cup in Mexico

After topping Group F that included the likes of England, Poland and Portugal, the Moroccan team faced West Germany in the last 16. After 88 minutes drawing goalless with the Germans, Lothar Matthaus scored to sink Morocco in a last minute winner.

1990 World Cup in Italy

Cameroon also finished first in the group stages, after facing opponents like Argentina and the Soviet Union. In the next round, they defeated Colombia in a 2-1 victory and qualified for the quarter-finals where England awaited. Two penalty goals allowed the English to progress to the semi-finals, beating Cameroon 3-2. 

1994 World Cup in the US

Four years later, it would be Nigeria who suffered. They were cruelly beaten by Italy in the knockout stage after Roberto Baggio scored his second goal in extra time to send the Nigerians home. Italy went on to lose to Brazil in the final that year.

2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea

Senegal were one of the great World Cup relevations in 2002. They defeated the defending champions France, and progressed to the round of 16. There they beat Sweden 2-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals. Their journey ended at that point, as Turkey took the win in extra time.

2010 World Cup in South Africa

Ghana came very close to playing in a World Cup semi-final. In the quarter-finals, they were awarded a penalty in the last minute of extra time following a handball by Uruguay's Luis Suarez. However, a failure to score prevented history being made in Africa.

2014 World Cup in Brazil

A goal by Japan in the 91st minute of their group stage match prevent the Ivory Coast from qualifying for the last 16, when they were practically within touching distance.

2018 World Cup in Russia

Senegal were on course to usurp Japan for a spot in the next round, but a goal from Colombia put the two teams in a tie. In the first ever instance of FIFA's fair play regulations, it was Japan who progressed with two fewer yellow cards. 

Nigeria also seemed tipped to cause a major upset to World Cup favourites Argentina, with both sides drawing until the final moments of the match, when Marcos Rojo scored a late winner that left Nigeria's tournament dreams in tatters.