With less than a month to go before the World Cup (November 20-December 18), some of the current events of the qualified African teams raise questions. Each country with its fair share of problems.
Tunisia: Will the Eagles survive the domestic political crisis?
All the indicators were green until now. Despite the heavy defeat (1-5) against Brazil in a friendly last September, Tunisia was slowly but surely moving towards the next World Cup. But now the Carthage Eagles risk missing the train to Qatar 2022. Because of the political crisis that is currently shaking the country with a president of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, who decided to put his nose everywhere. Even in soccer.
FIFA has warned the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF). "It was brought to our attention that the state authorities would seem to want to interfere in the affairs and management of the FTF, including considering the dissolution of the Federal Bureau, suggested the world body in a letter to the president of the FTF, Wadii Jari. FIFA member associations are statutorily required to manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties."
FIFA had given the boss of Tunisian soccer until this Friday, October 28 to provide explanations on the situation. In case of proven interference, it threatens to exclude the Tunisian teams and clubs from all regional and international competitions. An exclusion of Tunisia from the World Cup, after it has pocketed its ticket against Mali, would be a beautiful mess.
Cameroon: Will the Indomitable Lions meet the expectations?
Judging by their performance in their last two (friendly) games in September, we can say that Cameroon has not shown anything that could scare their opponents in Group G of the World Cup 2022 (Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland). Not content with losing to second-rate teams, Uzbekistan (0-2) and South Korea (0-1), the Indomitable Lions have delivered worrying performances.
🚨 Après la défaite 2-0 face à l’Ouzbékistan, le Cameroun s’incline 1-0 face à la Corée du Sud…🇨🇲❌
Fin du stage de septembre, rendez-vous en novembre au Qatar. pic.twitter.com/t395Bktz71
— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) September 27, 2022
While they looked better against the South Koreans, they were feverish and uninspired against the Uzbeks. Their coach, Rigobert Song, has two more friendly matches to correct the many rough spots in the collective expression of his team. On November 9 in Yaounde, Cameroon will host Jamaica before facing Panama on November 18.
Morocco: Has Regragui found the right formula?
His appointment was an obvious choice. It arouses enthusiasm in the Cherifian Kingdom. After winning the Moroccan championship and the Champions League with Wydad, Walid Regragui was well on his way to succeeding Vahid Halilhodzic. Inducted last August, the former Atlas Lion had less than three months to build his team and make his mark.
The deadline was short. He himself recognized it. Adding that, as a result, he will not embark on a revolution. He prefers to go with a few brush strokes here and there, with the hope of presenting a competitive Moroccan team at the World Cup.
If he signed a victory (2-0) against Chile and a draw (0-0) against Paraguay, in a friendly, Regragui does not chase away the questions about his ability to make the Atlas Lions roar in Qatar despite his appointment near the competition. Especially since he must succeed in the graft of returning players: Hakim Ziyech, Noussaïr Mazraoui and Younès Belhanda.
Ghana: Will we beat the curse of the bonuses?
The last time Ghana took part in the World Cup, in Brazil 2014, a story of bonuses had polluted the course of the Black stars. This is not foreign to their defeat (1-2) against Portugal, synonymous with elimination in the first round. Indeed, forty-eight hours before this crucial match, the Ghanaian players demanded the payment of their bonuses. The coach at the time, Kwessi Appiah, was attacked, while the representative of the Ministry of Sports was attacked by Sulley Muntari. To calm things down, the Ghanaian government had sent 3 million dollars to Brazil by special flight.
What's that arriving in Brasilia? #Ghana's money. $3m. In a convoy. Pics on @rede_globo #GHA http://t.co/N0nv90JBuI pic.twitter.com/MucQj1vajB
— Ben James (@BenJourno) June 26, 2014
