Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said some good results by African teams so far in the World Cup group stage were as he expected.
Debutants Cape Verde drew 0-0 with European champions Spain and Egypt matched Belgium in a 1-1 draw on Monday. Morocco also took a deserved point against Brazil and Ivory Coast beat Ecuador. Only South Africa and Tunisia have struggled.
Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ghana are yet to play, as are Senegal, who face twice winners France on Tuesday in New Jersey.
"For you it may be a surprise, for me it is not," the 45-year-old told a news conference when asked about African resolve.
"Africa's football has changed a lot."
Morocco were the first African team to reach the semi-finals at a men's World Cup in 2022. Now even more African sides are involved thanks to the tournament's expansion to 48 nations.
The African Cup of Nations in December and January had shown "that the level is very high," he said. Senegal won that tournament on the pitch but hosts Morocco were later handed the title after the Lions de la Téranga had stormed off during the game due to a refereeing decision.
As for Tuesday's match, the Senegal boss said France have "world-class" players "but so do we. We can beat any team."
Senegal also faced then holders France in their World Cup opener at the 2002 tournament and produced a sensational 1-0 win. Thiaw was part of that playing squad.
