By Tuesday’s return leg, the African continent will unveil the five nations set to represent it at the upcoming World cup in Qatar this winter.
Senegal vs. Egypt (0-1): A Champion on the Brink
From victors to potential victims? After triumphing over Egypt in the final of the last African Cup of Nations, Senegal now faces the risk of missing out on World Cup qualification, thanks to a narrow first-leg defeat (1-0) to the Pharaohs. If eliminated, the Lions of Teranga would continue a troubling trend for recent African champions. Since Nigeria’s 2013 success,no African Cup winner has secured a World Cup spot immediately after their triumph (Côte d’Ivoire in 2015 and Cameroon in 2017 missed Russia 2018,while Algeria,the 2019 champions,are still in contention). “The situation is clear—we must win.There’s no room for error,” admits Senegal’s coach, aliou Cissé. Egypt, seeking redemption after their final loss, will also be fueled by the contentious reception they faced upon arriving in Senegal, adding pressure to Sadio Mané and his teammates.
Read alsoAliou Cissé: The Steady Hand Behind Senegal’s Rise
Algeria vs. Cameroon (1-0): Can Slimani Seal Algeria’s World Cup Dream?
Islam Slimani’s decisive header in the first leg against Cameroon (1-0) has put Algeria in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup. The striker’s resurgence since joining Sporting Portugal in the winter transfer window has been remarkable, with four goals and an assist in just seven Portuguese league matches. slimani, the top scorer in African World Cup qualifiers with eight goals, is now just one goal shy of Didier Drogba’s record of 18 goals in African zone qualifiers. His form has been instrumental in Algeria’s campaign, and his performance in the return leg could be the key to securing their place in Qatar.
Morocco – DR Congo (1-1): Morocco Holds the Edge in World Cup Qualifiers
Morocco, after an impeccable group stage in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers for Qatar—securing six victories in six matches, scoring twenty goals, and conceding just one—faced a tense encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending in a 1-1 draw. The Atlas Lions found themselves trailing after a deflected strike from Yoane Wissa,Brentford’s premier League forward. Despite the setback, Vahid Halilhodzic’s squad fought back, though they missed a crucial penalty chance through Ryan Mmaee. The breakthrough finally came late in the game with a stunning volley from Tarik Tissoudali, a standout player from Gantoise. This goal, his first for Morocco, carries significant weight as away goals remain a decisive factor in African qualifiers. Halilhodzic emphasized, “We’re not through yet, but this result is promising despite the challenges.I hope for a stronger performance next time,” urging Moroccan fans to rally behind the team for the decisive second leg. Morocco aims for back-to-back World Cup appearances after their group-stage exit in Russia.
Nigeria – Ghana (0-0): Stalemate Between Super Eagles and Black Stars
In a tightly contested first leg, Ghana and Nigeria, both group leaders in the qualifiers, played out a goalless draw.The match saw a lack of precision from both sides, with Ghana managing only two shots on target out of ten attempts, while Nigeria registered two out of seven. A pivotal moment came when a penalty awarded to Nigeria was overturned by VAR due to a handball by Ghana’s Iddrissu Baba. Victor Osimhen, napoli’s prolific striker, will be eager to lead Nigeria to victory in the return leg. Meanwhile, Ghana seeks to reclaim their World Cup spot after missing out in 2018, hoping to replicate their memorable 2010 campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals before a controversial exit against Uruguay, marked by Luis suarez’s infamous handball.
Cameroon vs. Algeria: Highlights and Lowlights
the clash between Cameroon and Algeria provided its share of drama, with Islam Slimani once again proving his worth for the Algerian side. However, Cameroon’s “Sleeping Lions” failed to awaken, leaving fans questioning their form ahead of the decisive leg. The match underscored the importance of seizing opportunities, as both teams struggled to convert chances into goals. With the return leg looming, the pressure mounts for Cameroon to deliver a performance worthy of their World Cup aspirations.
Read alsoTops / Flops Cameroon-Algeria: Slimani Shines, Cameroon Struggles
tunisie-mali-1-0-encore-un-scenario-grotesque-pour-ce-tunisie-mali”>tunisia vs. Mali (1-0): A Bizarre Turn of Events in Their Rivalry
Tunisia faced Mali in a tense first-leg encounter, securing a narrow 1-0 victory despite the absence of their star striker, Wahbi Khazri, who was sidelined due to a thigh injury. The match took an unexpected turn when Mali’s defender, moussa Sissako, a PSG academy product, committed a costly error. In a moment of misjudgment, Sissako inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net while attempting a back-pass to his goalkeeper. The defender’s woes continued as he received a red card just four minutes later, compounding Mali’s troubles. this peculiar sequence of events brought back memories of their previous clash during the african Cup of nations, where the game was halted in the 85th minute and resumed after a 35-minute delay, ultimately ending in a 1-0 win for Mali. As the teams prepare for the return leg, Tunisia must remain vigilant to avoid another shocking twist in this unpredictable rivalry.
The race for African representation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has reached its thrilling climax, with the final round of qualifiers poised to determine wich five nations will proudly carry the continent’s flag to the global stage. Tuesday’s return legs promise high drama, as several key matchups hang in the balance. Here’s a breakdown of the pivotal encounters and the stakes involved:
Senegal vs. Egypt (0-1): A Champion on the Brink
Senegal, the reigning African Cup of Nations champions, find themselves in a precarious position after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt in the first leg. The Lions of Teranga, who triumphed over Egypt in the AFCON final earlier this year, now face the daunting task of overturning the deficit to avoid missing out on the World Cup. Historically, recent African champions have struggled to secure world Cup qualification immediately after their continental triumph, and Senegal risks falling into that trend. Aliou Cissé, Senegal’s coach, has admitted the pressure, stating, “The situation is clear—we must win. There’s no room for error.” Egypt, meanwhile, will be motivated by redemption and the heated reception they received in Senegal, setting the stage for a fiercely contested second leg.
Algeria vs. Cameroon (1-0): Slimani’s Moment to Shine
Algeria holds a slender advantage heading into their second leg against Cameroon, thanks to Islam Slimani’s decisive first-leg header. Slimani, who has rediscovered his form as joining Sporting Portugal earlier this year, has been a revelation in the qualifiers, netting eight goals—one shy of Didier Drogba’s record in African zone World Cup qualifying. His resurgence has been pivotal for Algeria, and his performance in the return leg could be the difference-maker. Cameroon, however, remains a formidable opponent, and Les Fennecs will need to maintain their composure to secure their World Cup berth.
Morocco vs. DR Congo (1-1): The Atlas Lions’ Edge
Morocco, despite an impeccable group stage campaign, faced a stern test against DR Congo, settling for a 1-1 draw in the first leg. The Atlas Lions fell behind to a deflected strike from Yoane Wissa but equalized late through Tarik tissoudali’s stunning volley. With away goals still a deciding factor in African qualifiers,Morocco holds a slight advantage heading into the second leg. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic has called for unity and support from Moroccan fans,emphasizing the importance of a strong performance to secure back-to-back World Cup appearances.
Nigeria vs. Ghana (0-0): A Battle of Titans in stalemate
One of the moast anticipated clashes in African football, the Nigeria-Ghana rivalry delivered a tense but goalless first leg. Both the Super Eagles and the Black Stars struggled to break the deadlock, leaving everything to play for in the return leg. With a place in Qatar at stake, expect a fiercely competitive encounter as both teams vie for supremacy.
The Final Countdown
By Tuesday evening, the African continent will know its five representatives for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with nations battling not just for glory but for the pride of an entire continent. Each team carries its own narrative—Senegal’s quest to break the champion’s curse, Algeria’s reliance on Slimani’s heroics, Morocco’s push for consistency, and the historic rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Football fans worldwide will be glued to their screens as these titans of African football wriet the next chapter in their World Cup journeys.
