Now, as we wait for the ball to get rolling in March, let’s take a look at our preview of the three most attractive matchups in the African Football Confederation for a spot in Qatar 2022.
Nigeria vs Ghana
The Nigerian Super Eagles will be looking to bounce back from their 2021 AFCON Tournament exit against Tunisia by regrouping and taking out one of their classic West African rivals Ghana in a series where football fans could only wish that both teams could end up qualifying. On the one hand, Nigeria will surely be looking at this as the perfect opportunity to revalidate their status as one of Africa’s strongest football squads around, with some of Europe´s most popular African-based players on their team. But on the other hand.
Ghana, who was surprisingly left out of the competition in the first round of the AFCON tournament in Cameroon after finishing in last place of their group will surely have their eyes and minds set on beating the Super Eagles and going through to Qatar 2022. While the historic head-to-head between both teams shows us that this matchup can most times be too close to call, for now, and given the true strength of the squad, as well as the appointment of new coach Jose Peseiros to lead the team, the advantage goes to Nigeria.
Egypt vs. Senegal
Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, one of the two will be gracing football fans with their talents in Qatar 2022 while the other one will have to watch from the comfort of their homes. That is what the Egypt vs. Senegal draw has left us with. While both teams managed to qualify for the Round of 16 in the AFCON tournament, the truth of the matter is that once March comes around, the world of football will see two of the English Premier League’s best strikers, and Liverpool partners battle head to head for a spot in FIFA’s biggest national team tournament.
Based on strength within the roster, it’s honestly very hard to see an Egypt team have what it takes to take down a Senegal squad with players like Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, PSG defender Abdou Diallo, PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye and of course the previously mentioned Sadio Mane. So advantage here goes to Senegal.
Cameroon vs. Algeria
Many football fans not only in Africa but around the world were shocked to see Algeria, who was riding on an almost 40-game winning streak have their record trumped by Equatorial Guinea in the group stages of the AFCON tournament, and yet, it happened. After that loss Algeria went on to lose once again against Ivory Coast, sealing their faith as the worst team in their AFCON group. With that said now, taking Algeria as a lightweight after their AFCON fiasco could end up being one of the biggest mistakes Cameroon could make. Riyad Mahrez and company will be looking to show the world that the AFCON slip was that, just a slip and that they are more than ready to show Cameroon why they are still to this day considered one of the toughest and most talented squads in the African continent.
Now, while Algeria can brag and boast about being the most dominant squad in recent African football history when you wish to speak about African football royalty, Cameroon is definitely one of the first teams to be mentioned. Led by captain Vincent Aboubakar as well as Eric Maxim Choupo- Moting and Andre Onana at the back, this Cameroon team has put everyone in the AFCON tournament on notice of what they can do and will surely be hoping that Algeria is keeping a close eye as well, as they continue on their path towards their March matchups.
Out of all the matchups, this might be the most level, but given Algeria’s dominant form in recent times, the advantage right now goes to them.
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