The five matches that will take Africa to the World Cup in Qatar 2022
The draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be held next Friday, 1 April, to determine the teams that will qualify for the groups. Meanwhile, the different confederations are presenting their candidates in exciting qualifying rounds that have already experienced dramas such as that of Italy, out of the World Cup once again.
In Africa, ten countries are awaiting their future in the first World Cup to be held in the northern hemisphere's winter in Qatar in November.
Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Morocco, Mali and Tunisia have 90 minutes to seal their ticket to Qatar. The first leg matches have shown the fear of the coaches who have preferred to leave everything for the second leg.
Morocco - DR Congo (1-1)
The equaliser in the first leg in Kinshasa came for Morocco in the 76th minute after a VAR review for a possible offside. Earlier, Mmaee had missed a penalty for the North African side. Congo, with their star player Bakambu (Villarreal) could not cope with Halilhodzic's line-up and will be playing for their second World Cup appearance after Germany 74 at the Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca. Morocco are looking for their fifth appearance, the second in a row after Russia 2018 where they lost in the group stage after that agonising draw against Spain.
Egypt-Senegal (1-0)
A repeat of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations final between two of the continent's best teams barely a month later. That match on 6 February ended 0-0 and Senegal won on penalties. Now a place at the World Cup is at stake and the Pharaohs' slender 1-0 lead was thanks to an own goal by Ciss (Nancy). Salah and Mané will meet again this time at the Me Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Diamniadio. The Egyptians are looking for their third World Cup, the second in a row after Russia 2018. The same conditions as Senegal, who are looking for their third appearance after Korea and Japan (2002) and Russia (2018).
Nigeria-Ghana (0-0)
Another tight match that will be decided in the return leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Nigeria will depend on the form of Ihenacho (Leicester) and Chukwueze (Villarreal) to reach their seventh World Cup after a good run in South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. The African side are regulars at the finals, having reached the last 16 on three occasions - USA 1994, France 1998 and Russia 2018.
Ghana are looking to reach their fourth FIFA World Cup finals after Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. Thomas Partey, the Arsenal player is one of their most prominent players.
Cameroon-Algeria (0-1)
A goal from Islam Slimani (Sporting Portugal) gave the Algerians a slender lead in the match in Limbe. The return leg at the Mustapha Tchaker in Blida will be the deciding match for one of the two countries to reach Qatar. Algeria want to be present at their fifth World Cup while Cameroon are seeking their eighth World Cup in the presence of Samuel Eto'o as president of the country's football federation.
Mahrez (Manchester City) is the star of the Algerian team while Cameroon's star players are Onana (Ajax) and Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich).
Mali-Tunisia (0-1)
Another own goal decided a match. Tunisia beat Mali with a goal by Sissako on the verge of half-time at the 26 March stadium in Bamako. The Tunisians no longer have a team of recognised players as in previous eras. It would be their sixth World Cup if they can maintain or extend the result of the first leg at the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium in Radès. Opposing them will be Mali with a team dependent on Doucouré (Everton), Bissouma (Brighton) or Haidara (Leipzig) but without stars who shine in Europe. For Mali it will be their first World Cup and that is a big responsibility.
Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.