Africa's chances at the Women's World Cup

On Saturday, the 7th edition of the FIFA women's football world cup will start in Canada. Gradually, what was considered an exotic event has become a key event on the international calendar of the most popular sport in the world. For the 2015, Cameroon will be part for the first time. The Indomitable Lionesses, after several unsuccessful attempts, reached last year to win the ticket to join the tourney. Apart from Cameroon, two African teams will be present in Canada, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. For Nigeria, this will be the 7th participation in as many editions. This country is the absolute reference in the continent. The Super Falcons virtually unchallenged reign over the continental women's football. For its part, Côte d'Ivoire, like Cameroon, will take her first steps in the World cup. But unlike Lionesses who flirt with continental elite for ten years, Ivorians are found in Canada as a surprise. And they will be, so to speak, the great unknown continent. This World Cup will be a tough one for the African teams that will face tough opponents, versed in international games. And it will take out all the stops to prevent the continent from a new flop. So far, African footballers have hardly shone at the World Cup. For example, Nigeria that is regular in terms of presence in the race has never managed to shine. The best result of the Super Falcons was qualification for the quarterfinal in 1999. Since then, they have never gone beyond the first round. In 2015, will they reach next level? Nothing is less certain. The draw has not particularly spoiled them as they will meet the United States, Australia and Sweden. But with Nigeria, one is never immune to a pleasant surprise. The Super Falcons can always rely on a cohesive group with a leader, Asisat Oshoala, one of the best players in the world currently. In their ranks, is also the oldest, Perpetua Nkwocha. The Indomitable Lionesses, who will play in group C with Japan, world champion, Switzerland and Ecuador are not in principle among the favorites of the competition. Further, the conditions in which they prepared the Canadian expedition does not grow to greater optimism. But on balance, the only truth that matters is that of the field. And the Cameroonians can always count on a capital experience they have stored in recent years. The group is relatively stable. It has recently been enriched by the addition of some new players. For her first World Cup, Cameroon will head as a reference, her campaign for the London Olympics in 2012. Despite three defeats in three games, the Cameroonian game plan had not been ridiculous. No doubt the coach Enow Ngachu will leverage this experience to present a better face in Canada. Moreover, with the exception of Japan, the opponents of the Lionesses, Switzerland and Ecuador have no more references globally. These two countries are also new to the World Cup. Suffice to say that the games are open in this group C. In general, for this competition, the United States, Germany, Norway and Japan act as favorites. But France, Australia are credible candidates. For the first time, 24 teams participate in the competition with eight making their debut in the tourney. Note that the top two in each pool will qualify for the next round and the four best third.