Bola News reviews the performances of all the five countries during the two weeks international break.
SENEGAL
The Teranga Lions seem to be the continent’s favourites to go far at the forthcoming World Cup after avoiding defeat in both their friendly matches during the break having beaten Bolivia 2-0 and played out to a 1-all draw against Iran.
The reigning African champions are returning to the world Cup after failing to realize their potential at the last world cup in Russia in 2018, where they missed out on the Round of 16 based on fair-play points.
Senegal will be hoping to match their nation’s success at the 2002 world Cup when they reached the quarterfinals as they will be heading to Qatar with a six matches unbeaten run.
With the likes of Sadio Mane, lsmaila Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edward Mendy among other stars all expected to make the World Cup squad, the west Africans will hope to overcome their Group A opponents Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands.
CAMEROON
The indomitable Lions will make their eighth world Cup appearance in Qatar, but it has been 32 years since that historic run to the quarterfinals when they announced themselves to the world.
Cameroon have failed to win a match at the world Cup since 2002 and as they head into this year’s tournament, they have an illustrious partnership in the boardroom and in the dugout with legends Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song calling the shots as federation president and head coach respectively.
Cameroon endured a disappointing break losing to both Uzbekistan and South Korea and it is hoped by their hopefuls that valid lessons were picked up from the embarrassing defeats and make improvements before the tournament kicks off.
Toko Ekambi and Vincent Abubakar who was the Golden Boot winner at the previous Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON), will be banked on to provide a base to perform in Qatar.
In Group G, they will face Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland. The Lions have a good chance of making it through to the Round of 16 but it looks like it will be an uphill task as they have not convinced in the last two international friendly match.
GHANA
The black stars will return to the world Cup with hopes of reaching the great heights of 2010, when they were just moments away from a historical semifinal place before Luis Suarez stole the show for them with his infamous “hand of God” save that denied Ghana what would have been a winning goal.
Ghana may not have the talents of Asamoah Gyan and Sully muntari but it has Midfielder Thomas partey who they hope will be fit by November as well as Andre Ayew Jordan and enterprising Ajax forward Mohhamed Kudus among other brilliant players, .
Coach Otto Addo also made five new additions to his team who completed their nationality switch for the with hopes of strengthen the depth of the squad ahead of the World Cup.
The new players include, Spain-based and Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, Brighton and Hove Albion FC wingback Tariq Lamptey, Stephan Ambrosius from Germany side karlsruhe, Ransford Yeboah konigsdorffer of Hamburg SV, and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu.
However, Ghana failed to beat Brazil as they were no match for the former world champions in a 3-0 thriller but managed to bounce back in their last match when they defeated Nicaragua by a 1-0.
Ghana are housed in Group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
MOROCCO
The Atlas Lions came through qualifying looking imperious but are the only African World bound side that did not lose during the break together with Senegal .
They will return for their sixth World Cup appearance aiming to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
Despite having multiple talented players from top European clubs, Morocco only managed a draw at the 2018 Russia World Cup. They have struggled on the big stage in the past, which makes it difficult to see them getting out of a Group F at the Qatar Wolrd Cup which includes, Belgium, Croatia and Canada.
During the international break, Morocco defeated Chile 2-0 in their first pre-world cup friendly game which was played in Barcelona and played to a 0-0 draw against Paraguay in their last match.
The two friendly games also marked the return of Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech after almost nine months of absence due to a feud with the previous technical bench.
TUNISIA
The Carthage Eagles are always notoriously known for qualifying without much fuss but never making a statement on the big stage.
They are housed in Group D that also include reigning champions France, Wales and Denmark. Tunisia’s chances of advancing are very slim especially after their last two pre-world cup friendly matches which somewhat exposed their capabilities.
The North African side were thrashed 5-1 by Brazil on Tuesday last week in a game marred by horrific racism targeted on Brazilian forward Richarlison.
However they managed to beat Comoros last Friday as Consolation and also previously managed to defeat Chile 0-2 and Japan 0-3. They could be a surprise package in Qatar, only time will tell.
Can an African country win the FIFA World Cup for the time ?
The FIFA World Cup is set to start on the 20th of November 2022 in Qatar. It will be the first ever edition to be held in the middle east and at the end of the Year.
Africans will only hope their envoys step up and rewrite history this time around by breaking the semifinal barrier and even going all the way to the final.
