With less than 20 days left before the world’s biggest football tournament takes centre stage, local football fanatics believe African teams have got what it takes to cause an upset at the much-anticipated competition.
The 22nd edition of the Fifa World Cup will be held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. This will be the first World Cup ever to be held in an Arab country and the second World Cup held entirely in Asia after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
Africa will be represented by reigning African champions Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, Morocco and Ghana at this year’s prestigious tournament.
Senegal have the most forgiving draw, having been drawn with hosts Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands in Group A.
Morocco, Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana all have daunting groups to navigate through, with Belgium, Brazil, cup holders France and Portugal the top seeds in their respective groups.
However, no African nation has made it past the last eight of the World Cup.
The furthest that Africa has gone is the quarter-finals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Former Brave Gladiators head coach Woody Jacobs said African teams have over the years proven to the world they are a force to be reckoned with.
“African teams are looking well-prepared, and I believe they have worked so hard that they are now able to compete with any team that they are pitted against. But for me, I think Senegal is the team we can all agree have the depth and quality to do wonders at the World Cup. They have good players, such as Sadio Mane, who is doing well in the German Bundesliga, as well as Mendy,” he said.
Brave Warriors player Awillo Stephanus also believes African teams have the quality to leave a huge statement at the World Cup.
He singles out Morocco as a team that could advance to the knockout stage.
“All the teams are looking good. I have faith in all our African representatives, but Morocco is a team I believe can do amazing stuff at the World Cup. The kind of football they play is the same as the ones in Europe – that gives them a huge chance to do great things at the tournament,” said Stephanus.
Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, who is also a big football fan, said it is difficult to tell at this stage and has his money on all African teams.
“Our African teams are in good shape; Cameroon is looking good, Ghana as well as – they have enough experience in their teams with depth and quality, so I believe this World Cup will have a lot of surprises,” he said.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na