Atsu Backs African Countries To Excel In Russia

Ghana Winger, Christian Atsu has expressed optimism all the African countries that will compete in this year’s FIFA World in Russia will go far in the tournament.

Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia will represent the continent at this year’s global football mundial, which begins June 4, to 15 July 2018, in Russia.

And Atsu, who featured heavily for Ghana at the 2014 competition in Brazil, believes the five countries possess adequate firepower to go far in the competition.

“When you look at the Senegal team, they have Sadio Mane and deserved it [World Cup qualification], so with hard work I think they will do well,” Atsu told Voice Online.

“The Nigeria team have a lot of young players – very talented players – who are playing at a high level.

“Some are playing in La Liga, some in the Premier League and when you look at their group they won almost all of their matches. So, I believe Nigeria will be one of the countries to go far in the World Cup.”

He said “Also Egypt – they have Mohammed Salah, they have a very good coach [Hector Cuper] and they play really compact.

“I have played against them and they are really hard to play against. I believe they can also go far”.

Africa’s biggest achievement in the history of the World Cup has been limited to Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana’s quarter final berth in 1990, 2002 and 2010 respectively.