The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 14 as all soccer enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the biggest football competition in the world.
Five African countries are expected to participate and bring some smiles to the continent.
The furthest Africa has gone in the FIFA World Cup is the quarterfinals which Senegal and Ghana have both tasted.
There are some optimism that Africa's representatives this year will defy all odds to perform well at the tournament.
Here is an overview of the five African Countries that will represent the continent.
Nigeria- Nicknamed Super Eagles
Nigeria are one of the strongest teams on the African continent. The Super Eagles as they are known, qualified to the FIFA World Cup in fine fashion.
A 1-0 victory over Zambia in Group B of the African qualifiers secured qualification to Russia.
Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored the only goal to send entire Nigeria on fire.
The World Cup in Russia will be Nigeria's sixth after qualifying for 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014.
Nigeria collected 11 points, which exceeded Zambia’s 8 points, Cameroon’s 7 points, and Algeria’s 2 points.
They will be counting on the brilliance of Alex Iwobi of Arsenal, Mikel Obi, Kalechi Iheancho, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses among others.
Egypt- Nicknamed the Pharaohs
One man carried Egypt on his shoulders and made sure the country reaches it's first FIFA World Cup since 1990.
Mohamed Salah is the darling boy of Egypt.
Two goals from Salah against Congo secured a spot for the Egyptians who have been absent from the tournament since 1990.
The Atmosphere in Alexandria that fateful evening they qualified for the 2018 World Cup is one that will forever remain in the minds of many.
The FIFA World Cup in Russia will be Egypt's third after playing in the 1934 and 1990 edition.
The entire Egyptian populace is praying for Mohamed Salah who got injured in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Ahmed Hegazi, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Elneny will all have to step up their game to ensure they blossom at the tournament.
Tunisia- Nicknamed The Eagles of Carthage
Tunisia have an exciting squad and one that fights until the end. Even with a draw of 0-0 against Libya in the last match of the group stage, the Tunisian national team finished first in their group.
As a result, they got a direct ticket to the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Coach Nabil Maaloul did a fantastic job to qualify the team to the FIFA World Cup in Russia after the team missed out on the 2010 and 2014 editions.
This would be the fifth World Cup for Tunisia having played in the 1978, 1988, 2000 and 2006 editions.
Tunisia was the first African nation to win a World Cup match.
The intelligence of Wahbi Khazri will be needed greatly if Tunisia are to perform well at the FIFA World Cup.
Morocco- Nicknamed Atlas Lions
They outclassed Ivory Coast in their own backyard to qualify for the World Cup.
Although the Moroccan team has had 20 years of absence, this will be their fifth time to participate in the World Cup.
With an experienced coach like Hervé Renard at the helm of affairs, there is some optimism that Morocco will perform well in Russia.
They have assembled the best squad possible for the finals, captain Medhi Benatia of Juventus, Achraf Hakimi of Real Madrid are some of the players the nation will be counting on.
Senegal- Nicknamed The Teranga Lions
Senegal is looking forward to their participation in the second World Cup in their history.
The Teranga Lions qualified for the 2018 edition in Russia because of their success (0-2) in South Africa.
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They had not participated in the World Cup since 2002 in Japan and South Korea, where the Senegalese reached the quarter-finals.
Their coach Aliou Cisse was a member of the 2002 squad that reached the quarterfinals and has a lot of experience leading his side.
Senegal are blessed with a host of talent, from the Mane's to the Sakho's they have it all.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane has been tipped to excel in the World Cup.
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