• AFRICA -World Cup -qualification – Third stage
• Ghana and Nigeria renew their perennial rivalry
• Mali aims to qualify for their first-ever world cup
• Cameroon is chasing a record 8th World Cup appearance
Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers 3rd stage match by match analysis and predictions.
1. D.R Congo vs Morocco 
Venue: Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa
Time: 1:00 pm
Flashback to 1974, it was the tenth FIFA World Cup hosted by West Germany. D.R Congo, then Zaire was humiliated by Yugoslavia by 9-0 in the group stage. 48 years later, they are on the verge of qualifying for their first World Cup since that embarrassing tournament. They have the Atlas Lions of Morocco to negotiate with.
Hector Raul Cuper will aim to play back-to-back World Cup with D.R Congo after overseeing a humiliating one in Russia 2018 with Egypt. The 66-year-old Argentine manager has enough quality at his disposal. His squad list includes the experienced duo of Chancel Mbemba and skipper Dieumerci Mbokani. Also, Yoane Wissa, Yannick Bolasie, Cedric Bakambu, Elia Meschak and Arthur Masuaku are all part of the team.
Vahid halihodzic is another experienced manager who knows the African terrain very much. He managed Algeria’s brilliant 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil. Starman Hakim Ziyech is still missing from the Moroccan squad but still boast of top-notch footballers. Bounou, Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Louza, Boufal and EN-Nesyri’s spine is still there. Morocco is chasing their 6th World Cup appearance after qualifying for the 1970,1986,1994,1998 and 2018 Tournaments. They boast of enough experience at this stage and expect them to give D.R Congo and tough challenge.
Prediction: 1-0
2. Cameroon 
Vs Algeria 
Venue: Limbe Stadium, Limbe
Time: 5:00 pm
Samuel Eto’o led administration appointed Rigobert Song soon after Cameroon’s AFCON heartbreak as the new manager for The indomitable Lions to replace Toni Conceicao. The Portuguese tactician had a great AFCON but was sacked by the Cameronian FA. Song knows all it takes to qualify and play at the FIFA World Cup. He played in, the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups. Rigobert Song’s first call up includes stars like Andre Onana, Castelletto, Fai Collins, Zambo Anguissa, Vincent Aboubakar, Karl Toko Ekambi and Choupo- Mouting.
His first game as the national team manager is against beleaguered Algeria. It was all Algeria before the AFCON but collapsed totally during the tournament. Djamel Belmadhi’s team is still dangerous and can not be underestimated. Riyad Mahrez, Ismael Benacer, Islam Slimani, Ramy Bensabaini and Youcef Balaili have headlined Belmadi’s call-up. Good old Adlene Guardiola is back into the squad after missing their horrible AFCON 2021.
Cameroon is always a difficult team when playing at home. The Desert Warriors have a golden opportunity now to forget the embarrassing CAN 2021 by qualifying for the World Cup by starting with a good result against Cameroon in Limbe.
Prediction: 2-1
3. Mali 
vs Tunisia 
Venue: Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Time: 5:00 pm
The battle of two eagles: The Eagles vs Eagles of Carthage. Can the Eagles of Mali do the unthinkable? Mali is in a very tremendous form heading into this game, they defeated Tunisia 1-0 in AFCON 2021 in the group stage and eventually lost to Equatorial Guinea on penalties in the knockout stage. Mali has conceded just 1 goal in their last 10 games, won 7, drawn 2 and had only one defeat albeit through a penalty shootout against Equatorial Guinea.
Mohamed Magassouba has a plethora of stars, especially in the midfield. Abdoulaye Doucore of Everton has been added to already a midfield full of talented players. Yves Bissouma, Amadou Haidara, Diadie Samassekou, Mohammed Camara and Aliou Dieng are all included in the team. Almamy Toure of Frankfurt got his first call up.
Moussa Djenepo and Lorient striker Ibrahima Kone are expected to lead the attack. This generation can do wonders but they are playing an experienced team, a team that has appeared in the World Cup on 5 occasions.
Tunisia is always great when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup. Head coach Jalel Kadri’s 27 man squad comprises experienced players like Ali Maaloul, Youssef Msakni, Wahbi Khazri and Hamza Mathlouthi. Youngsters like Hannibal Mejbri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane are also included. Mali amassed 16 points, scored 11 goals, conceded none in the group stage games in the qualifiers. Mali will be tough at home against Tunisia.
Prediction: 2-0
4. Egypt 
vs Senegal 
Venue: Cairo International Sports Stadium
Time: 7:30 pm
The two best teams in the 2021 AFCON lock horns again. Salah, Mane and Mendy will finally show the one who deserves the 2021 African Footballer of the year. It is the Pharaohs vs Lions of Terranga once again. Carlos Queiroz would love to taste World Cup furthermore after leading Portugal in the 2010 World Cup. Aliou Cisse, the skipper for Senegal in the 2002 World Cup won Senegal’s first-ever AFCON and qualifying them for the third time to the World Cup will be icing on the cake.
He qualified Senegal for the 2018 World Cup, thus, he knows how to do the business at this level. Cisse has been exceptional as a manager for Senegal. Stars like Koulibaly, Gana Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, Mane and Mendy are all in the team.
Queiroz’s call up was headlined by superstar Sala, El Shanawy, El Neny, Marmoush and Abdelmoneim. A tight affair is anticipated in Cairo.
Prediction : 1-1
5. Ghana 
vs Nigeria 
Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi
Time: 7:30 pm
Source: Amakye Ansah
