FIFA WORLD CUP: CAF Draw For Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Provides Entertaining And Exciting Fixtures
The 40 African nations still in the hunt for a spot at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ discovered their fate on Tuesday.
The draw for the second round of the African qualifying campaign was held in Cairo, Egypt, and it produced some mouth-watering duels involving longstanding rivalries, chances for revenge and heavyweight clashes
Group A
Algeria | Burkina Faso | Niger | Djibouti
As winners of the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria will be regarded as favourites in Group A. Given that they missed out on Russia 2018, Les Fennecs will be even more motivated to qualify this time around. The other three teams in the pool will be just as driven to perform well, not least because none of them have ever appeared on football’s greatest stage, although Burkina Faso did come close to qualifying for the 2014 edition. Back then, it was Algeria who eventually denied Les Etalons a berth in Brazil.
Group B
Tunisia | Zambia | Mauritania | Equatorial Guinea
Tunisia will lock horns with Zambia, who have often shone in the Cup of Nations, which they won in 2012, but who have not enjoyed the same success in World Cup qualifiers. The Chipolopolo will be determined to reverse that trend, while Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania – who held the Tunisians to a draw last year – are also likely to play a pivotal role.
Group C
Nigeria | Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Liberia
Nigeria will doubtless be installed as heavy favourites in this section, having advanced to the World Cup on six previous occasions, unlike their three future opponents, none of whom have ever successfully negotiated a qualifying campaign. However, as the Super Eagles’ slip-up during the 2017 Cup of Nations qualifiers proves, a surprise outcome is always a possibility.
Group D
Cameroon | Côte d’Ivoire | Mozambique | Malawi
Three-time World Cup participants Côte d’Ivoire were viewed as the team to avoid in Pot 2, and they find themselves pitted against the African side that has qualified for the World Cup most often (seven times), Cameroon. At least one continental powerhouse will therefore not make it to the third round, while the other two nations in the group should not be discounted either.
Group G
Ghana | South Africa | Zimbabwe | Ethiopia
Ghana and South Africa, two nations with substantial World Cup pedigree, will face off in the standout duel in Group G. In addition, Bafana Bafana have a clash with neighbours Zimbabwe to look forward to. With Ethiopia, who are capable of competing with the best on their day, also in the mix, the pool promises to be a closely contested affair. “It’s a very even group,” noted Marcel Desailly, who assisted with the draw in Cairo. “Teams will have to get off to a strong start. Wins build momentum and generate confidence.”
Source: FIFA.com
