Egypt, Nigeria miss out as Ghana and Cameroon make a comeback after eight years 
The qualification scenario for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is gradually getting more transparent, as we now know 27 of the 32 teams that will compete in the pinnacle event of international football. Five of these teams are from Africa – Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia and Morocco. All of these teams had to emerge triumphantly in a gruelling CAF qualification round to earn their tickets to Qatar.
Let’s have a round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup CAF qualifiers:
Egypt vs Senegal (1-1 Agg.)
Sadio Mane’s Senegal has qualified for the mega event
The most anticipated match from this round was the clash between Egypt and Senegal – the same teams who battled in the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Salah’s Egypt seemed to have avenged the AFCON defeat with a 1-0 triumph in the first leg tie, where an own goal from Saliou Ciss turned out to be the differentiating factor between the two sides.
However, Senegal bounced back well in the return leg to secure a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Villarreal’s Boulaye Dia. The game went to penalties where Sadio Mane’s team emerged as 3-1 winners. Ciss and Kalidou Koulibaly missed their spot-kicks for Senegal, whilst for Egypt, Salah, Ahmed Sayed and Mostafa Mohamed failed to find the back of the net.
Cameroon vs Algeria (2-2 Agg.)
Cameroon won by virtue of the away goals rule
The game between Algeria and Cameroon was always going to be an even-stevens affair, given that both teams have not featured in a FIFA World Cup since 2014. The Greens won the first leg tie by a 1-0 margin, with Islam Slimani being on the scoresheet.
However, Cameroon made a Senegal-esque comeback in the second leg tie to secure a 2-1 victory and subsequently announce their return to the world’s biggest football stage. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karl Toko Ekambi scored for the Indomitable Lions, whilst Algeria’s lone goal was scored by Ahmed Touba. While the score was 2-2 on aggregate, Cameroon qualified on the basis of away goals scored.
Ghana vs Nigeria (1-1 Agg.)
Ghana will feature in this competition for the first time in eight years
Ghana’s win against Nigeria can be considered the biggest underdog story in the CAF qualifiers since the former featured in the competition twice since 2014 while the latter participated in all of the last three editions of the World Cup. The first leg tie at Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium ended in a goalless stalemate.
The Black Stars took the lead through a Thomas Partey goal in the 10th minute, but a William Troost-Ekong penalty in the 22nd minute restored parity in the game. However, the Super Eagles failed to make further inroads, and courtesy of the away goal rule, Ghana earned the prestigious tickets to Qatar.
DR Congo vs Morocco (2-5)
Morocco had it easy against DR Congo
One could argue that DR Congo punched above their weights to make it to this stage, given that their last World Cup appearance was way back in 1974. However, heavyweights Morocco proved to be too hot to handle for the Leopards in the third round tie.
Hector Cuper’s team offered stern resilience in the first leg clash at home, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Yoane Wissa opened the scoring for DR Congo while Tarik Tissoudali equalized for Morocco. However, the second leg was a completely one-sided affair with the Atlas Lions registering a 4-1 rout. An Azzedine Ounahi brace and goals from Tissoudali and Achraf Hakimi comprised the hosts’ four goals, while the visitors’ solitary goal was scored by Ben Malongo.
Mali vs Tunisia (1-0)
Tunisia will make their second consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup
The outcome of this clash was also not surprising given that Mali has never qualified for a World Cup while Tunisia featured only in the last edition. If anything, the Eagles proved that they are building a formidable side and can eventually script history four years down the line.
The first leg meeting at Mali’s Stade du 26 Mars ended 1-0 in Tunisia’s favour, courtesy of an own goal from Moussa Sissako. Having secured the lead, Jalel Kadri’s team shut out shops in the second leg to get a goalless draw and confirm their journey to Qatar.