Africa's Knockout Journey: Ghana Eye Colombia as Ivory Coast Bow Out
The knockout rounds are where the World Cup's romance meets its cruelty, and Africa's record-breaking contingent is now discovering both. Even as the continent celebrates sending nine teams into the last 32, the margins are beginning to claim some of them.
Ivory Coast became one of the first to feel the sting, losing 2-1 to a resurgent Norway on June 30. The Elephants pushed the Scandinavians hard but could not find the goal that would have kept their campaign alive, and Norway's reward was a marquee round-of-16 tie against Brazil. For an Ivory Coast side that arrived with genuine ambition, it was a bittersweet exit after a tournament that showcased African quality.
Ghana, meanwhile, carry the flag forward. The Black Stars turn their attention to a round-of-32 meeting with Colombia in Kansas City, a heavyweight clash against South American opponents brimming with attacking talent. Ghana have a proud World Cup pedigree and the kind of knockout experience that can unsettle even fancied opposition.
The broader picture remains historic. That Africa is still this well represented deep into the tournament is unprecedented, and every additional round an African team survives extends a story that has already surpassed anything the continent had achieved before.
But knockout football offers no second chances. For Ghana, Colombia represents a chance to push Africa's remarkable run even further; for Ivory Coast, the journey is over. Such are the fine lines of a World Cup that has, more than any before it, belonged in part to Africa.
