Nairobi, July 14 -- Morocco's elimination from the World Cup triggered a frustratingly familiar conversation, dissecting a uniquely African phenomenon, the near-success syndrome.

We play brilliantly in the group stages, dazzling the world with our footwork. But when the tournament reaches its grinding final stages, we are systematically eliminated. The tragedy isn't just losing; it's that we celebrate reaching the quarter-finals.

This near-success syndrome isn't just haunting our football pitches, it has deeply infected our boardrooms. The problem is rarely talent or ambition. It's sustaining excellence long enough for promise to become victory.

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