In a few days, the 2022 World Cup will kick off in Qatar with the usual glamour and glitz that accompany the Mundial every four years. The forthcoming tournament has its peculiarities and controversies which have spurred swathes of protests across the globe. But the first World Cup in the middle east and the first to be held in the winter will go on regardless.
Like every other consecutive World Cup since 1970, Africa will be represented in Qatar. The colourful flags and dramatic nicknames of African countries alongside the continent’s best footballing talents will add vibrance to the tournament.
The five African representatives — Cameroon, Ghana, Morroco, Senegal and Tunisia — will be hoping to break the continent’s quarter-final jinx.
Below is the full squad of African teams at the World Cup:
CAMEROON
Cameroon was the first African country to set the quarterfinal ceiling at the Italy 1990 World Cup. However, the Indomitable Lions have enjoyed contrasting fortune in recent editions of the tournament.
After missing out on Russia (2018), Cameroon will be aiming to make an impact in Qatar and do better than in 2010 and 2014 when they crashed out of the group stages without a point.
Rigobert Song, the team’s head coach, will be hoping to pry out the team from group G which has Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland.
Cameroon squad
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Andre Onana.
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Enzo Ebosse, Collins Fai, Olivier Mbaizo, Nicolas Nkoulou, Tolo Nouhou, Christopher Wooh.
Midfielders: Martin Hongla, Pierre Kunde, Olivier Ntcham, Gael Ondoua, Samuel Oum Gouet, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar, Christian Bassogog, Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting, Souaibou Marou, Bryan Mbeumo, Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu, Jerome Ngom, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou , Jean-Pierre Nsame, Karl Toko Ekambi.
GHANA
Ghana qualified for the World Cup at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria — but some observers have described the current Black Stars squad as the least strong team to represent the country at the Mundial.
The lack of international experience and efficiency of the team could not be masked by a handful of recruits like Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion, and Mohamed Salisu of Southampton among others.
And straddled in the group of death that has Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea, the Otto Addo-led side must be prepared to conjure magic consistently.
Ghana Squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Nurudeen Manaf, Ibrahim Danlad.
Defenders: Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, Dennis Odoi, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Joseph Aidoo, Baba Abdul Rahman.
Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Abdul Salis Samed.
Forwards: Osman Bukari, Williams Inaki, Jordan Ayew, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Sowah Kamal, Antoine Semenyo, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
MOROCCO
Morocco enjoys the record of being the first African country to advance beyond the group stages of the World Cup in Mexico (1986). The Atlas Lions, however, have been without a victory in a World Cup game since 1998.
The reintegration of Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui into the team is a vital call for Walid Regragui, the new head coach.
Morocco will require maximum firepower and talent to emerge from group F which has Belgium, Croatia, and Canada.
Morocco squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti.
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Jawad El Yamiq, Romain Saiss, Achraf Dari, Yahia Attiyat Allal, Badr Benoun, Nayef Aguerd.
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Selim Amallah, Yahya Jabrane, Bilal El Khannous.
Attackers: Hakim Ziyech, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Sofiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ez Abde, Amine Harit, Ilias Chair, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Walid Cheddira.
SENEGAL
The injury of Sadio Mane has definitely bit off an edge from Senegal’s hitherto irrepressible attack. The African champions must improvise and another hero must emerge in Qatar if the country must surpass its Korea/Japan 2002 feat.
The Teranga Lions must slog it out with Qatar, Netherlands, and Ecuador in group A before dreaming of glory.
Senegal squad
Goalkeepers: Seny Dieng, Alfred Gomis, Edouard Mendy.
Defenders: Fode Ballo-Toure, Pape Abdou Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Kalidou Koulibaly, Formose Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly.
Midfielders: Pathe Ciss, Krepin Diatta, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mamadou Loum Ndiaye, Nampalys Mendy, Moustapha Name, Pape Matar Sarr.
Forwards: Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr.
TUNISIA
The Carthage Eagles are heading into their sixth World Cup. Tunisia remains one of the African countries with the most appearances at the tournament yet it has never advanced from the group stages.
The team has few household names but is armed with the necessary grit to hurt any side.
Jalel Kadri will be hoping his boys can summon the tenacity needed in a group which has France, Australia, and Denmark.
Tunisia squad
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Bechir Ben Said, Aymen Mathlouthi, Mouez Hassen.
Defenders: Wajdi Kechrida, Mohamed Drager, Dylan Bronn, Nader Ghandri, Bilel Ifa, Yassine Meriah, Montassar Talbi, Ali Maaloul, Ali Abdi.
Midfielders: Ghailene Chaalali, Aissa Laidouni, Eliyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Ferjani Sassi, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.
Forwards: Wahbi Khazri, Youssef Msakni, Taha Yessine Khenissi, Issam Jebali, Seiffedine Jaziri, Anis Ben Slimane, Naim Sliti.
Source: Top Stories