France, Oct. 15 -- Of the nine nations definitely heading to next year's World Cup from the African confederation, only Cape Verde will be sending a squad to the competition for the first time.

Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa have all experienced the slings and arrows of fortune at the most prestigious national team tournament on at least three occasions since it began in 1930.

Thirteen teams from South America, North America and Europe put in for that inaugural competition in Uruguay. Egypt were the only side from Africa to throw their hat into the ring but literally missed the boat.

A storm in the Mediterranean delayed their voyage from Egypt to Marseille and the onward connection The ...