Africa’s Best World Cup Chance Ever ? EFAN EKOKU and GABRIEL ZAKUANI Aren’t Convinced

Ten African teams. The most ever at a World Cup. So why aren't the people who actually know the game convinced? Former Premier League striker and Nigerian Super Eagle, EFAN EKOKU and ex-DRC international, GABRIEL ZAKUANI join me to break down Africa's prospects at the 2026 World Cup — from DRC's first appearance in 52 years, to why Nigeria keeps missing out, to the tiny island nation that recruited their squad on LinkedIn. This is an Africa Here & Now Special. We examine the prospects of South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, DRC, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde and Senegal in the tournament. And we nod in the direction of the diaspora: Haiti, Brazil and Curacao. 🎧 Subscribe for more:    / @africahereandnowpodcast   CHAPTERS 00:00 Africa's best-ever chance? 03:36 Who goes far? — Efan & Gabriel's picks 04:34 Cape Verde, recruited on LinkedIn 05:06 The hurdles: visas, Ebola, and DRC's quarantine 08:26 DRC's historic return after 52 years 10:35 What's wrong with Nigeria's Super Eagles? 12:20 1974 and the ghost of Zaire 14:58 Group-by-group breakdown 33:27 Is the French team really African? 53:46 Ones to watch 56:25 Final predictions Find out about the 1993 Tragedy in which ZAMBIA'S ENTIRE National Football Squad died. They were considered the country's best ever team; many say Zambian football has never recovered.    • The Tragic Loss of One Of  Africa's Greate...