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Ten African teams will compete on March 25 and 29 to win one of the five places reserved for the continent for the next FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.
Two posters hold particular attention: Egypt-Senegal, a month and a half after the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) won by the Lions of Teranga, and Cameroon-Algeria. The other three matches will oppose the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Morocco, Mali to Tunisia and Ghana to Nigeria.
Egypt-Senegal (March 25 in Cairo)
As a dress rehearsal before the World Cup play-offs, Egyptian Pharaohs and Senegalese Lions of Teranga have already faced each other in the AFCON final on February 6. And it is therefore as African champion that Senegal arrives in Cairo, with the status of favorite and the advantage of receiving in Dakar, during the return match. Historically, the Lions have always negotiated their trips to Egypt rather well, even if the Pharaohs have sworn to take their revenge after being deprived of an eighth continental title.
The two Liverpool strikers, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, who will meet face to face for a duel eagerly awaited by their fans, are doing wonderfully and continue to accumulate goals and assists with their club. If they want to take an option before the return match in Dakar on March 29, the Egyptians will have to offer a little more daring football than in Cameroon. The incandescent public of the Cairo International Stadium could encourage them to do so.
Cameroon-Algeria (March 25 in Douala)
A lot has happened in Cameroon since the end of the CAN that the country organized. The Portuguese coach Antonio Conceiçao, however supported by Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, the Minister of Sports, was asked to pack his boxes, according to the will of Samuel Eto’o. The former international, who became president of the Cameroon Football Federation in December 2021, was able to count on high political support to get rid of the Portuguese and appoint Rigobert Song (45), the ex-captain of the Indomitable Lions, in his place. .
A necessarily risky change before a deadline as important as that which awaits Cameroonians. Especially against an Algerian selection determined to take revenge after a calamitous CAN: the Fennecs, holders of the continental title in 2019, were eliminated in the first round. Djamel Belmadi’s players swear they have turned the page in Cameroon and intend to take advantage of the sparkling form of Riyad Mahrez at Manchester City and Islam Slimani, who has regained playing time – and efficiency – since his return to Sporting Lisbon, to preserve their chances of qualification before the return match in Blida on March 29.
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