March 30, (THEWILL) – On Tuesday night, the five African nations, who will represent the continent and compete in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup were confirmed after the second legs of the playoffs.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) region will be represented by Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal in the first ever World Cup to take place in the November/December calendar months.
By doing better than opponents drawn against them over two-legged playoffs, the five qualifiers secured their berths in Qatar 2022.
Cameroon and Ghana qualified for the playoffs on the basis of the away goals rule against Algeria and Nigeria respectively, while Senegal defeated Egypt in a penalty shootout, as THEWILL reported.
Tunisia held on for a 0-0 tie against Mali to win 1-0 on aggregate, while Morocco was the only big winner on Tuesday, thrashing the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 to triumph 5-2 on aggregate, over the two legs.
In the game played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, which was marred by acts of vandalism and pitch invasion after the final whistle, Arsenal’s midfield star Thomas Partey scored the key away goal in Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria to claim the first ticket to Qatar in the continent.
More drama unfolded in Algeria, as Ahmed Touba scored in the 118th minute to put Cameroon on the verge of elimination, only for Cameroon to come back in the fourth minute of extra time to seize victory from the jaws of defeat.
There appeared to be no separating Egypt and Senegal, who were reenacting the final of the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, and when no side gave after extra time, penalties were required.
Unfortunately for the Egyptians, who had won the first game 1-0, Senegal denied them again via penalty shootouts to clinch the ticket to Qatar. Senegal finished the penalties 3-1 after Mo Salah missed his penalty and Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane scored.
Egypt’s players were allegedly hampered by home fans shining lasers in their eyes, as evidenced by images taken at the time. The Egyptian Football Association has already filed a complaint over this.
The hope of the continent at Qatar now rests squarely on the shoulders of Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal. How far they will go will become clearer with the world cup draws.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
