Coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi believes one of five African representatives at the ongoing 2014 World Cup in Brazil could end up winning the football showpiece.
Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire are the five African countries in Brazil and all the teams are expected to face stiff competitions from the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany and others.
However, Keshi said his team's chances should not be underestimated.
Asked how close he felt Africa was to winning the Cup for the first time, he did not hesitate: "Very close.
"Because they (the African sides) are good. As good as any other teams that are here. I think this tournament is an open tournament. We just have to do what we have to do," he continued.
* Coach Stephen Keshi
It could be recalled that Ghana's Black Stars, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Teranga Lions of Senegal are the only African sides that have been able to make it to the quarter final of the Mundial.
Nigeria has twice, 1994 and 1998, reached the second round while Cameroon made it to the quarterfinals in 1990 as did Senegal in 2002.
When asked to compare the current Super Eagles with his class of 20 years ago, Keshi said: "This team is growing, it's like a baby.
"This team is just a year and a half-old. The team of 1994 was almost five or six years old.
"In 1994, the spirit was very high, we didn't care where the (opposing) team was coming from, we knew we are going to go out there and win the game. Here, we're building that, we try to bring the same spirit.
* Super Eagles' players
"Once we get the spirit, trust me, it's going to be two times as strong as 1994."
Nigeria is scheduled to take on Iran at 8pm Nigerian time on Monday, 16 June, 2014.
Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire are the five African countries in Brazil and all the teams are expected to face stiff competitions from the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany and others.
However, Keshi said his team's chances should not be underestimated.
Asked how close he felt Africa was to winning the Cup for the first time, he did not hesitate: "Very close.
"Because they (the African sides) are good. As good as any other teams that are here. I think this tournament is an open tournament. We just have to do what we have to do," he continued.
* Coach Stephen Keshi
It could be recalled that Ghana's Black Stars, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Teranga Lions of Senegal are the only African sides that have been able to make it to the quarter final of the Mundial.
Nigeria has twice, 1994 and 1998, reached the second round while Cameroon made it to the quarterfinals in 1990 as did Senegal in 2002.
When asked to compare the current Super Eagles with his class of 20 years ago, Keshi said: "This team is growing, it's like a baby.
"This team is just a year and a half-old. The team of 1994 was almost five or six years old.
"In 1994, the spirit was very high, we didn't care where the (opposing) team was coming from, we knew we are going to go out there and win the game. Here, we're building that, we try to bring the same spirit.
* Super Eagles' players
"Once we get the spirit, trust me, it's going to be two times as strong as 1994."
Nigeria is scheduled to take on Iran at 8pm Nigerian time on Monday, 16 June, 2014.
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