The sporting year 2022 has been rich in emotions for Africa. A look back at five teams that have left their mark in the last twelve months.
1-The Lions of Senegal
Unforgettable year 2022 for the Terranga Lions of Senegal. Finally, they have climbed on the roof of Africa. After many disappointments in the qualifiers and surprising eliminations in the finals, Senegal won its first AFCON in Cameroon on February 6 by dominating Egypt (0-0, tab 4-3), the most titled nation in the competition. Aliou Cissé and his players have immediately after this victory put their stamp on the continent and on Egypt since it was necessary once again to get rid of the Pharaohs to qualify for the World Cup 2022. In Qatar, Senegal reached the 8th final before being eliminated by England (0-3).
2-The Atlas Lions
Never the first. The course of Morocco at the World Cup 2022 will remain engraved in the pantheon of soccer. After a disappointing CAN in January, the Atlas Lions, led by Walid Regragui, reached the semi-finals of the biggest soccer competition. They finished in 4th place in the World Cup, having beaten Belgium (2-0) in the group stage, before eliminating Spain (0-0 tab 3-0) and Portugal (1-0). Thanks to this heroic performance in Qatar, Morocco dethroned Senegal in the FIFA ranking of the African zone. Now 11th in the world, the Atlas Lions are first in Africa ahead of Senegal, which has occupied the first place for four years in a row.
3-Wydad Athletic Casablanca
In soccer, the man of the year in Africa is certainly Walid Regragui. Before his success with the Moroccan national team at the World Cup, the 47-year-old coach first conquered the Kingdom of Morocco and the African continent. With Wydad Athletic Club, which he took over in the summer of 2021, he won the Botola Pro 2022 and especially the CAF Champions League 2022. WAC ended the reign of Al Ahly, two-time defending champion and finalist for the 3rd time in a row.
AS FAR on the roof of Africa
4-As Far Rabat women
Queen of Morocco, AS Far has also been crowned on the continental level. After a third place in the first edition of the Women's Champions League, the Moroccans were determined to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns and reach the top. They succeeded in outclassing (4-0), the South African ladies, defending champions. Several of the girls of this team of "Military" had, a few weeks earlier, hoisted Morocco in the final of the AFCON for the first time.
5-Young African, the invincibles of Tanzania
Runner-up to Simba SC for four consecutive seasons in the Tanzanian championship, Young African has seized the throne. To achieve this mission, Yanga had to be perfect. The Yellow and Green finished the league undefeated with 22 wins and 8 draws in 30 games. Young African remained unbeaten in the league for 46 games. The unbeaten streak ended on November 29, 2022 with a loss to Ihefu FC. This is a new record in Tanzania.
In Africa, only three clubs have managed to do much better according to CAF. "ASEC Mimosas holds the longest unbeaten streak in Africa with 108 matches, while Esperance of Tunis (Tunisia) is second with 85 matches, and APR, the Rwandan army, third with 50 matches," writes the body on its website.
