Back to the International Newsfeed

Will set pieces undermine Africa’s World Cup efforts?

The continent’s sides are in danger of being picked off due to their inability to defend set pieces

COMMENT

There’s been one common thread uniting all five of Africa’s World Cup representatives at the ongoing footballing showpiece in Russia.

It’s not disappointment, with Senegal actually getting a win under their belt in their opening clash on Tuesday! It’s an inability to defend set pieces, with all of the continent’s quintet—including the Lions of Teranga—being undone by goals from corners and free kicks. Remarkably, the first seven goals conceded by African teams at this year’s tournament were all resulting from set pieces.