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.
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