WITH the final group games winding up, Africa’s chances of fielding a team in the second round look very slim.

1990 quarter-finalists Cameroon, hosts South Africa and Nigeria are already out of the 2010 Fifa World Cup while Algeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana are still uncertain of their qualification.

Ghana, who failed to make the most of their one-man advantage against Australia, top Group D with four points but Milovan Rajevac, knows that his side can not afford to be complacent when they play Germany today.

While a draw with Joachim Low’s side automatically qualifies Ghana, a loss would still do for the Black Stars provided Serbia lose or draw with Australia but it would be criminal to bank on the latter.

Algeria has a difficult task ahead of them. They play a USA side rich in confidence after coming from two goals down to draw with Slovenia in their previous game.

Ivory Coast also has a mountain to climb as they now have to beat North Korea by an eight goal margin to have a chance of sneaking through to the next round.

In the run in to the tournament, many anticipated a spirited display from the African sides but it has not come to fruition.

It is very sad!!

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