the reigning world champion by dint of its victory in 2006
衛冕的 力量
professional soccer is a giant meritocracy, 菁英制度
but when you come from a continent where survival is, for many, a daily battle, sentiment succumbs to practicality. 屈服，殉命
scout 偵查兵（星探）
He has faith that Africa will perform wonders on the soccer field too. 驚奇
have become emblems of national prestige 象徵
purportedly 劇指稱的 purport = mean, intend, signify
