Croatia vs France – Africa Goes to World Cup Final?

Senegal bowed out along with Africa’s interest in the World Cup, they said. The realities however present a varying scenario. In fact this World Cup has become more African flavored than ever.

Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal were identified as the continent’s face with France tagged as Africa’s sixth team in the events in Russia.

Claims of Africa’s dwindling interest in the global football showpiece is largely based on the Teranga Lions’ controversial exit. Senegal, the sole side tipped to wriggle out of the group stage after Africa’s other representatives got humbled, came falling flat back down to earth. Colombia ensured it. And on what basis? The fair play rule that was used for the first time in the tournament’s history.

But to the surprise of many, there is still significant following in the ongoings in Russia, only that area preference seems to have switched a bit.

The reason for this is France. Power brokers in the international scene and with an ugly history of draining Africa of its labor force, France still has the continent’s backing and football is the reason.

Majority of Africans will be glued to their screens at home or in pubs but still rooting for the Le Blues. The French outfit’s player composition calls for it. Fourteen of France’s players have African blood flowing in their veins. Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, the man dubbed the Wall of France, was born in Cameroon and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rest have their parents coming from Africa. Subtract these black stars from the team that played against Belgium and only a mere four will be true French-born in the lineup.

The truth is, France have always had Africans or players of black ancestry spurring them beginning from cadet level.

The African flavor to the team was brought to the fore when Umtiti’s header assured the Le Blues a straight march to the World Cup finals. The 24-year-old Yaounde-born managed to get to the end of Griezmann’s cross before Belgium’s Spaghetti-legged Fellaini to head home beating Chelsea’s Courtois in goal.

Newspapers across Africa went ballistics to serve a reminder to the world that Africa still partakes in the championship in body and soul.

A tabloid in Cameroon took it to unprecedented levels.

CAMEROON QUALIFIES FRANCE FOR WORLD CUP FINAL, screamed the capitalised headlines.

This shows the erstwhile world champions, and perhaps soon to be crowned again, wouldn’t have gotten this far had it not been for migration.

To the French politicians whose support is dependent on pushing anti-migration rhetoric, a nearly all black France team winning the World Cup today will force them to sit up or zip up.

A breakdown of France’s players with African origins.

Prisnel Kimpembe –Born in Congo

Samuel Umtiti –Cameroon-born

Paul Pogba –Guinea Conakry

Kylian Mbappe – parents from Cameroon and Nigeria

Ousman Dembele –parents from Mauritania and Senegal

Corentin Tolisso –parents from Togo

N’Golo Kante – parents from Mali

Blaise Matuidi –parents from Angola

Steven N’Zonzi – parents hail from DR Congo

Steve Mandanda –DR Congo-born

Adil Rami – parents from Morocco

Nabil Fekir – Parents from Algeria

Djibril Sidibe –parents from Senegal

Benjamin Mendy – parents from Senegal