2022 World Cup: Power ranking Africa’s chances after the draw

Five African nations watched closely to know their fate as Friday’s World Cup draw edged closer.

African champions Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon and Ghana were respectively pooled in Groups A, F, D, G and H, with certain nations seemingly getting a slice of luck while others were not as fortunate.

Now aware of the outcome of the draw, GOAL rates the African sides.

Cameroon

With the Indomitable Lions drawn with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, the giants face a tough battle to make it out of Group C.

In fairness, the games involving the two European nations and Cameroon will be hugely crucial to the African giants’ prospects.

It will not be straightforward, though, with Rigobert Song’s troops facing an uphill task of plotting a way through an ostensibly tough draw.

Tunisia

While the Carthage Eagles are yet to know the final nation that will join themselves, France and Denmark, the North African nation did not get the rub of the green.

Drawing the defending World champions and European Championship semi-finalists, the Tunisians have their work cut out for them before a ball is kicked.

One of Peru, Australia and the United Arab Emirates will join the 2004 African champions in a group where they are predicted to battle for third spot with one of the inter-confederation play-off winners.

Ghana

This iteration of the Black Stars may not have the quality of its predecessors and drawing three sides in the top 30 does not particularly bode well.

This could be Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez’s swansong at the finals, somewhat making Portugal and Uruguay favourites to advance.

Having said that, Ghana have a history with the ex-Barcelona striker following his handball that prevented the West African nation from becoming the first on the continent to make it to the World Cup semis. This match could boost motivation and inspire progress from the group.

Morocco

Even though the Atlas Lions were drawn against Belgium — semi-finalists in Russia — and Croatia — runners-up four years back — they ought to back themselves against teams that are not as good as they were four years ago.

With Achraf Hakimi in the side, this Morocco side should not rule out the possibility of getting four points from games against Roberto Martinez’s side, the Croats or a Canadian side competing at the finals since the 1986 edition.

Whether that will be enough to see them advance, however, remains to be seen.

Senegal

Undoubtedly Africa’s best side, Senegal got a rather favourable draw where they will face tournament hosts Qatar, either side of playing the Netherlands — returning after missing in Russia — and Ecuador, who finished fourth in the South American section.

The South Americans were not especially convincing throughout qualifying, though, and Aliou Cisse’s troops will believe they have the individual quality with the likes of Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy and team cohesion to topple the aforementioned nations.

Having exited the 2018 finals due to accruing more yellow cards than Japan (both sides had identical records after three games), the Lions of Teranga will look to avoid similar circumstances and end an impressive calendar year on a high in Qatar.

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