French and Chelsea legend Claude Makélélé shared his opinion on the progress of African football, including South Africa, following the impressive performances of teams at the FIFA World Cup.
Makélélé believes that African football is moving in the right direction. He noted that Egypt demonstrated exceptional qualities even in defeat, while teams like Senegal and Comoros failed to advance, and Congo was eliminated by England, as was South Africa. In Makélélé's view, this is a sign of progress, and the results will become clear at the next World Cup, which will positively affect world football.
The 'Bafana Bafana' team advanced to the tournament playoffs for the first time in its history. Although they ultimately lost to co-host Canada in the Round of 32, their participation was widely regarded as a triumph. Moreover, even under the previous format with 32 teams, 'Bafana' would have advanced, finishing second in their group.
Meanwhile, Egypt looked set to reach the quarterfinals after taking a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute, but Argentina managed an astonishing comeback, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory. This turned into a bitter finale for a campaign that briefly promised to overthrow the defending champions—a triumph that could have gone down in history.
Makélélé added that the successes of African nations at this World Cup go beyond one specific team. He emphasized that Congo and many other African states are demonstrating that they are working under suitable conditions. Furthermore, they are reconnecting with their players who hold dual citizenship—athletes who developed their game at a high level in Europe. This is hugely significant because they bring real quality to African national teams and contribute to their further development.
According to Makélélé, this is what drives the improvement: players who do not play for France or Belgium return to represent their parents' country.
