SportsCAF World Cup Qualifiers Preview: Nigeria Hopes To Consolidate As Egypt Plays...

CAF World Cup Qualifiers Preview: Nigeria Hopes To Consolidate As Egypt Plays Catch Up

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October 06, (THEWILL) – The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are once again the focus of attention on the continent. While top contenders like the Super Eagles of Nigeria and and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have so far earned maximum points six points from matches so far played, it has not been the case for others.

Egypt and fellow first seeds Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have some making up to do after the outcomes of the first two rounds of games played last time out, as only the 10 group winners advance to the final qualifying round.

There will be action in 41 matchday two, three, and four qualifiers set over seven days from Wednesday in the Group fixtures to look forward to. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in each group in the next round (all times are local time).

Glo

GROUP A
Reigning African champions Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez, has a strong home record in World Cup qualification against Niger, scoring 10 unanswered goals in two matches.

Another easy home win is on the cards for a team with an African-record of a 29-match unbeaten run, but if Burkina Faso defeats Djibouti, they will be level on points with Algeria.

Algeria Vs Niger (Friday, 8 pm)
Djibouti Vs Burkina Faso (Friday, 8 pm)

GROUP B
Table-toppers Tunisia has won all four of their previous World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania, and there is little reason to believe they will not do so again in Rades.

The Tunisians, captained by Wahbi Khazri of Saint-Etienne and coached by Mondher Kebaier, come into the match with two stunning victories, while the Mauritanians have lost twice.

Equatorial Guinea Vs Zambia (Thursday, 5 pm)
Tunisia Vs Mauritania (Thursday, 8 pm)

GROUP C
It is difficult to envisage anything other than a comfortable win for Nigeria over the Central African Republic (CAR) in Lagos, especially given the absence of Atletico Madrid midfielder Godfrey Kondogbia for CAR.

Following a simple home win over Liberia last month, a seriously reduced Super Eagles team defeated Cape Verde away, and they will be back to near full strength for the visit of the Wild Beasts.

Liberia Vs Cape Verde (Thursday, 2 pm)
Nigeria Vs CAR (Thursday, 5 pm)

GROUP D
The Cameroon and the Ivory Coast matchup is considered the most difficult to win, the rivals have combined to qualify for the World Cup ten times.

The Ivorians have a one-point lead over Cameroon after a 2-1 win at home, but due to the poor condition of the pitch at Abidjan’s newly opened national stadium, they will have to play Malawi in Benin.

Malawi Vs Ivory Coast (Friday, 2 pm)
Cameroon Vs Mozambique (Friday, 5 pm)

GROUP E
Mali has made a strong start in the only group without a previous World Cup qualifier, leading Kenya and Uganda by two points, with Rwanda in last place.

Due to the terrible quality of their stadiums, a Malian squad captained by Southampton midfielder Moussa Djenepo will have to play their home matches in Morocco, although they are expected to overcome Kenya.

Rwanda Vs Uganda (Thursday, 5 pm)
Mali Vs Kenya (Thursday, 8 pm)

GROUP F
Libya beat Egypt to the punch by snatching a late home win over Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and then prevailing in Angola.

Egypt were fortunate to hold Gabon after narrowly beating Angola, and, as THEWILL reported, the Gabon draw cost coach Hossam el Badry his job, with Carlos Queiroz, a former Real Madrid manager and Manchester United assistant manager, taking over.

Angola Vs Gabon (Friday, 5 pm)
Egypt Vs Libya (Friday, 8 pm)

GROUP G
South Africa will face their nightmare team Ethiopia, who beat them by four points in the 2014 qualifiers, prompting the dismissal of Bafana Bafana coaches Pitso Mosimane and Gordon Igesund.

For the other back-to-back group matches, both Ghana and Zimbabwe will have new coaches, with Serb Milovan Rajevac taking over for Charles Akonnor at the Black Stars and Norman Mapeza taking over for Croat Zdravko Logarusic at the Warriors.

Ethiopia Vs South Africa (Saturday, 2 pm)
Ghana Vs Zimbabwe (Saturday, 5 pm)

GROUP H
Senegal, led by Sadio Mane, can clinch first position with two victories against closest rival Namibia, which has been obliged to play matches in neighbouring South Africa due to stadium regulations.

Peter Shalulile, a regular scorer for Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa’s premier team, would most likely be the biggest threat to the Senegalese.

Togo Vs Congo (Saturday, 5 pm)
Senegal Vs Namibia (Saturday, 8 pm)

GROUP I
Morocco, whose first-team lineup features outstanding Sevilla forward Youssef en-Nesyri, will play Guinea-Bissau and Guinea at home, giving them a significant advantage.

Guinea-leaders Bissau’s lack an international-standard stadium, and FIFA has declared Guinea a dangerous destination after Morocco was forced to evacuate Conakry last month by a coup.

Sudan Vs Guinea (Wednesday, 5 pm)
Morocco Vs Guinea-Bissau (Wednesday, 8 pm)

GROUP J
Tanzania, despite being seeded fourth, leads Benin in goals scored, with the Democratic Republic of Congo third and without a win despite two goals from Dieumerci Mbokani, the 35-year-old they recalled to their squad.

Former Aston Villa attacker Mbwana Samatta leads a Tanzanian team coached by Dane Kim Poulsen in Dar es Salaam and Cotonou, where the top two meet.

DR Congo Vs Madagascar (Thursday, 2 pm)
Tanzania Vs Benin (Thursday, 2 pm)

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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