Cameroon's star striker Samuel Eto'o is one of several top African footballers seeking to make amends for past World Cup disappointments at Brazil 2014.
Final chance? —
Cameroon's star striker Samuel Eto'o is one of several top African footballers seeking to make amends for past World Cup disappointments at Brazil 2014.
Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images
Like Eto'o, Ivory Coast stars Didier Drogba (L) and Yaya Toure had a less than memorable World Cup in South Africa four years ago.
Elephants never forget —
Like Eto'o, Ivory Coast stars Didier Drogba (L) and Yaya Toure had a less than memorable World Cup in South Africa four years ago.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images/file
Cameroon was the first African nation to really take the World Cup by storm in 1990 as a 38-year-old Roger Milla inspired the Indomitable Lions to a quarterfinal spot -- a first at the time for an African side.
Indomitable —
Cameroon was the first African nation to really take the World Cup by storm in 1990 as a 38-year-old Roger Milla inspired the Indomitable Lions to a quarterfinal spot -- a first at the time for an African side.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Egypt was the first African side to qualify for a World Cup in 1934, but the continent had to wait another 36 years until it had another representative. Morocco (pictured) featured in 1970 and became the first African nation to pick up a point thanks to a draw with Bulgaria.
Leading the way —
Egypt was the first African side to qualify for a World Cup in 1934, but the continent had to wait another 36 years until it had another representative. Morocco (pictured) featured in 1970 and became the first African nation to pick up a point thanks to a draw with Bulgaria.
STAFF/AFP/Getty Images
The first African team to win at a World Cup was Tunisia in 1978. Despite failing to progress past the first round, Tunisia beat Mexico 3-1 in Argentina.
Three points —
The first African team to win at a World Cup was Tunisia in 1978. Despite failing to progress past the first round, Tunisia beat Mexico 3-1 in Argentina.
BECHIR MANNOUBI/AFP/Getty Images
Nigeria reached the last 16 in 1994 at their debut World Cup. Rashidi Yekini celebrates after his side score their first goal of the campaign against Bulgaria.
Back of the net —
Nigeria reached the last 16 in 1994 at their debut World Cup. Rashidi Yekini celebrates after his side score their first goal of the campaign against Bulgaria.
VINCENT AMALVY/AFP/GettyImages
Senegal became the second African side to reach the quarterfinal stage of a World Cup in 2002. It kicked things off in style by defeating the reigning world champions France 1-0 on the opening day of the tournament.
Fiesta —
Senegal became the second African side to reach the quarterfinal stage of a World Cup in 2002. It kicked things off in style by defeating the reigning world champions France 1-0 on the opening day of the tournament.
JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images
South Africa became the first African nation to stage a World Cup in 2010. Despite being backed by some incredible support, the hosts failed to make it out of the group stage.
A new frontier —
South Africa became the first African nation to stage a World Cup in 2010. Despite being backed by some incredible support, the hosts failed to make it out of the group stage.
Monirul Bhuiyan/AFP/Getty Images
Ghana could have become the first African nation to reach the semifinal stage of a World Cup in 2010, only for Luis Suarez's hands to deny Dominic Adiyiah's last-minute goal-bound header. Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting spot-kick, before Uruguay went on to win the ensuing penalty shootout.
Cheated —
Ghana could have become the first African nation to reach the semifinal stage of a World Cup in 2010, only for Luis Suarez's hands to deny Dominic Adiyiah's last-minute goal-bound header. Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting spot-kick, before Uruguay went on to win the ensuing penalty shootout.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images