On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, we will learn which five teams will represent Africa in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, following the conclusion of the final round of two-legged playoffs.
The best of the lot is the encounter between the AFCON Champions, Senegal’s Teranga Lions, and Egypt’s Pharaohs.
We are also set for what is now highly tagged the ‘jollof derby’ between Ghana’s Black Stars and Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The two great West African rivals are set to face off in Kumasi today, Friday 25th March, with the second leg taking place in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
The Les Aigles of Mali will face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, Cameroon against Algeria and DR Congo will tackle Morocco.
All five matches will definitely be exciting owing to the involvement of some of the top football players in the world on each squad.
Ahead of the World Cup playoffs, here are ten players to watch:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Let’s start with Mohammed Salah, Africa’s most talked-about player. The Pharaoh’s will be banking on Mo Salah to lead them in the important rematch against AFCON winners Senegal, as lost finalists. Egypt will be assured a place in this year’s Qatar 2022 World Cup if they win both legs, which will in turn boost Salah’s chances in winning more individual medals.
While there’s no questioning Mo Salah’s goal-scoring prowess, with 20 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League thus far for Liverpool this season, football is a team sport, and the Pharaohs will need more than their Egyptian King to make it to the World Cup.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Sadio Mane’s personal record has been superb this year. After helping Senegal upset Egypt with a game-winning penalty, he was voted Player of the Tournament in the just ended AFCON. That’s in addition to his three goals and two assists in the tournament.
The Teranga Lions will be looking forward to their star, who has 12 goals in 26 Premier League games for Liverpool, to help them past the Pharaohs in this highly anticipated repeat of the AFCON final.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
The Napoli striker is back in Austin Eguavoen’s team after asking to be left out of the AFCON squad earlier this year.
With four goals, Osimhen has the most among the two teams in the qualifying round. His Serie A record is equally good, with fifteen goals in all competitions for Napoli thus far this season. The striker is expected to be a shoo-in to start both playoff games against the Black Stars.
Thomas Partey (Ghana)
In the absence of banned team captain Andre Ayew, who received a red card in the last group game against Comoros after lunging his feet at Comoros goalkeeper Ben Moina, Thomas Partey is expected to lead the Ghanaians.
Arsenal’s Player of the Month for February, Partey has ten goals in 27 games for the Black Stars, as well as two goals in 23 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Algeria’s Desert Foxes have asked Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez to lead them past Cameroon in order to qualify for Qatar. Mahrez, who has 22 goals in all competitions for Manchester City, appears to be up to the task.
2019 AFCON champions, Algeria had a difficult time defending their championship last month, losing in the group round.
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
When the Indomitable Lions face the Algerians, Vincent Aboubakar, who has eight goals in 22 games for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, will lead the assault. Aboubakar, who scored eight goals in seven games at the just concluded AFCON, was the tournament’s top scorer. For his exceptional performance, the attacker was named to the Tournament’s ‘Team of the Tournament.’
Yves Bissouma (Mali)
Yves Bissouma presence in the Mali national team will provide them a boost against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.
Bissouma has made 20 appearances for Brighton this season and has yet to score. With his superb passing talents and defensive effect, the Eagles of Mali will be banking on him to deal serious damage to Tunisia.
Youssef Msakni (Tunisia)
Next comes the striker who eliminated the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the recently concluded AFCON Round of 16 by scoring the game’s only goal. Youssef Msakni will want to keep his fine form going against Mali. The striker is one of the most feared players in the Carthage Eagles’ team, owing to his accomplishments with Qatari top-flight side Al Arabi.
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
While many would be looking up to Theo Bongonda as favorite to lead the DR Congo to the World Cup, Chancel Mbemba, who is slated to start both playoff matches, is expected to undertake the brunt of the defensive work by not allowing the Moroccans to advance.
Mbemba plays defense for Porto in the Portuguese Premier League. While the club is apparently considering releasing the defender owing to worries about his age, he will be required to prove them wrong by remaining focused for both of his national team’s qualifiers.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Since making his debut in 2016, Achraf Hakimi has played an important role for the Atlas Lions, earning 36 caps and scoring seven goals. The right-back for Paris St. Germain was a key player for Morocco in their recent AFCON campaign, which saw them reach the quarter-finals.
