With the elimination of the Ivory Coast it would appear no African nation is going to make the last 16. This is a real shame, I put it down to two reasons. Firstly the best African nations have been drawn really difficult groups - Ivory Coast in Argentina's and Hollands group and Ghana with Italy and Czech Republic. This happened last world cup too - with Nigeria in Eng, Arg and Sweden's group and Cameroon with Germany and Rep Ireland. Secondly this year some quite weak African nations qualified at the expense at the much bigger and more likely sides of Nigeria/Cameroon/Senegal/Egypt and Morocco.

Mexico and the USA on the other hand are given a very easy ride each time - guaranteed qualification (3 1/2 places in the competition from north America is nonsense) and Mexico are always seeded making their group very easy. (this is entirely to do with commercial reasons)

However in 4 years time, with the competition in S.Africa things should change. An extra African place as S.Africa qualify by hosting it - and more support. Perhaps Fifa should seed the best African team at the time too - and forget about Mexico!

Had Ivory Coast been in Angola or Togo's group instaed of them, then they could have qualified for the last 16. Unfortunately they landed in a tough group with Holland and Argentina but at least they were not disgraced in their performances.

... the best African nations have been drawn really difficult groups - Ivory Coast in Argentina's and Hollands group and Ghana with Italy and Czech Republic.

Mexico and the USA on the other hand are given a very easy ride each time

Care to explain how the USA was given a very easy ride this time, and Ghana was not when they are both in the same group? Group E with Italy and Czech Republic.

... the best African nations have been drawn really difficult groups - Ivory Coast in Argentina's and Hollands group and Ghana with Italy and Czech Republic.

Mexico and the USA on the other hand are given a very easy ride each time

Care to explain how the USA was given a very easy ride this time, and Ghana was not when they are both in the same group? Group E with Italy and Czech Republic.

my point was that in qualifying mexico and usa are always guaranteed to make the finals as their region is given a disproportion amount of qualifying places - 3 and 1/2. Mexico (and you're quite right - not the USA) tend to be seeded as they always have an inflated fifa ranking that everyone agrees is unrealistic - but then they get seeded giving them an easy group.

Anyway good to see Ghana win and their group is looking by far the most interesting.