Yaya Toure, ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has given the chances of the African teams. The Ivorian sees Senegal and Morocco being able to get through the group stages. It will be more complicated for Cameroon, according to the four-time African best player winner.
Yaya Toure was crowned African champion in 2015 with Côte d'Ivoire, and also took part in three World Cup finals with the Elephants (2006, 2010 and 2014). Now retired from the field, the former midfielder has become an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar in November. The opportunity for him to promote the upcoming competition and to talk about its unprecedented frequency and the numerous infrastructures built by the country.
Interviewed by RFI, the Ivorian spoke about the chances of the teams in the running and in particular gave his favorites for the world title. "We always expect teams like Brazil, Argentina, France or England. I think they will go far. Let's not forget Germany, a very serious team that we know well. They always do very well at the World Cup. Spain too. Belgium, we don't know for sure, but they are a team that is rising in Europe and is first in the FIFA world rankings," said Yaya Toure before continuing: "I think there will be some very playful teams and some outsiders behind them who will wait for opportunities. In all competitions, there are always one or two teams like that, who scare everyone."
Among these teams capable of thwarting the predictions to go far could be Senegal. At least that is the opinion of the former Manchester City. "I think Senegal is a very good team in Africa at the moment. They have just been crowned African champions, they can do well, But we must remain focused, not underestimate teams like Ecuador and Qatar. The Netherlands are favorites in this group, but Senegal have a good chance.''
Difficult for Cameroon and Ghana
Another team that can make it through the group stages in the eyes of Yaya Toure is Morocco. In Group F with Belgium, Canada and Croatia, the Atlas Lions will have to deliver a good performance to reach the last eight. "Morocco has a good chance to play, I think, even if Croatia is a big team, a big machine. Anything can happen in this group," he said. The task will be more delicate, but not impossible for Tunisia. "They are in the same group as France and Denmark. It's still a tough group. It will not be easy and it will be quite difficult for the Tunisians", according to the former Barça player.
On the other hand, for Cameroon and Ghana, Yaya Toure is hardly optimistic. He does not see the Indomitable Lions getting past the group stage. "I think the Cameroonians are in a bit of a bind because they have a strong squad. It will be very very difficult," while Rigobert Song's men are in group D with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia. The same goes for Ghana, who face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Pool H. "It will be quite difficult because the Uruguayans are regulars, and the Portuguese too," he said, before adding: "I think that Ghana can still do well, or even create a surprise. You never know.
