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The big news in African football last week was the
confirmation of the five teams which will represent the continent at the 2022
FIFA World Cup, as Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia secured their
tickets to the global tournament.
The Black Stars overcame arch rivals Nigeria on away goals
(after a 1-1 draw on aggregate) to secure a fourth overall qualification –
adding to their previous appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014. “I’m really
delighted, exhausted, it was a tough match and we fought our way through,” said
Ghana coach Otto Addo.
“We had big big problems especially in the first half, and
through some changes, the players gave their tactics very well and still they
[the Nigerians] had some good chances. Our goalkeeper was there when we needed
him and we had a little bit of luck also, because if you see the chances the
Nigerians were better. I feel a bit pity for them but this is football,
sometimes and we fought our way through.”
Senegal continued to have the wood over Egypt, as they
ousted the North Africans on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw – just as
they did in the final of the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. The
Teranga Lions will be appearing at the World Cup for a third time, adding to
2002 and 2018.
Tunisia and Morocco overcame Mali (1-0 on aggregate) and DR
Congo (5-2 on aggregate) to each seal their sixth World Cup appearance: 1978,
1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018 for the Carthage Eagles, while the Atlas Lions played
the global event in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018.
The most dramatic qualification came from Cameroon, who
scored through Karl Toko Ekambi deep in injury time after 120 minutes in Blida
to defeat Algeria 2-1, with the tie ending 2-2 on aggregate and sending the
Indomitable Lions to the World Cup on the away goal rule.