Written by Mpho Maboi
As we inch ever closer to the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, it’s now time to nail our colours to the mast, from an African perspective.
The 5 African Nations that have qualified for Qatar are:
- Senegal in Group A (after beating Egypt to qualify)
- Tunisia in Group D (after beating Mali)
- Morocco in Group F (after beating DR Congo)
- Cameroon in Group G (after beating Algeria)
- Ghana in Group H (after beating Nigeria).
I wanted to look at how the teams are expected to fair at the global showpiece and who is a safer horse to bet on:
Senegal
First up, the African Champions, Senegal. The year 2022 has been nothing short of magical for the Lions of Teranga who are appearing in their third tournament.
After their Afcon victory, this is the one team that is expected to match or even surpass their 2002 quarterfinal run when Head coach Aliou Cisse was the captain in the nation’s first appearance. In conclusion, they will definitely get out of the Group Stages, especially when taking into account the fact that the only real competition in their group is the Netherlands.
Hosts Qatar and Ecuador should pose less of a challenge.
Prediction: Round of 16, purely because they could meet France on the way to the Quarterfinals
Tunisia
The Eagles of Carthage have one of the more difficult routes in the tournament. Ranked 30th, they are pitted against the defending champions France who are ranked 4th, Denmark who are ranked 10th, and Australia who are ranked 39th.
Unless they can pull off some incredibly shocking results against both France and Denmark, it’s very difficult to see them get out of the group stages sadly.
Prediction: They return home after the group stages
Morocco
The Atlas Lions only recently named a new Head Coach in Walid Regragui following the dismissal of Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic after Afcon. Regragui steered Wydad Casablanca to glory in the CAF Champions League, beating our own Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly in the final, an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that the Egyptians were the two-time defending champions having beaten Zamalek and Kaizer Chiefs in the two previous finals.
Looking at their unexciting performance at Afcon earlier this year, it’ll be interesting to see how they will perform.
The Moroccans are pitted against Belgium, Croatia, and Canada. Perhaps they can get a point against Canada, but defeating Belgium and Croatia seems highly unlikely.
Prediction: At best, they get out of the group stages BUT if they qualify second in Group F they will meet the winner of Group E – likely to be Spain or Germany. That will effetively end their stay in Qatar.
Cameroon
The Indomitable Lions will be appearing in their 8th FIFA World Cup, making them the only African side to have qualified the most times. The team has never made it past the quarterfinal stage!
On paper, it looks like they may find climbing out of the group stages, a hard ask indeed. Again. They go up against the number 1 team Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland.
Prediction: They go home after the group stages
Ghana
Finally, we have The Black Stars. This will be their 4th appearance at a World Cup.
In 2010, right here in Mzansi, Ghana lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarterfinal stages. After Asamoah Gyan missed his kick Baghana Baghana hearts broke all across the country.
They have the Ayew brothers (I know that infamous meme of Dede just crossed your mind) and Thomas Partey in their arsenal and have gone through a rebuilding phase in the side. Youngsters who will want to impress… BUT The focus in Group H will all be on Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, hoping for much more after a terrible season in the Premier League.
Ghana has Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea to contend with. Will history repeat itself?
Prediction: Going home after the Group Stages
The World cup takes place from 20 November until 18 Dec.
Kaya Sport will bring you all the details as they unfold.
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