Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Ghana will represent Africa at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana Qualify For World Cup

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The African representatives for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been concluded as Cameroon, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana join AFCON champions Senegal, after emerging victorious in their various qualification playoff matches.

Here is a summary of how the exciting return leg matches concluded.

Nigeria 1-1 Ghana (1-1 aggregate)

Ghana qualified for their fourth World Cup after edging out Nigeria on the away goals rule, following a 1-1 draw in Abuja.

The two sides drew 0-0 in the first leg in Kumasi last week and heading into the return fixture, the Ghanaians only needed a scoring draw to progress.

And they did exactly that, qualifying for the World Cup after missing the 2018 showpiece in Russia. For Nigeria, this is the first time they will be missing the World Cup since 2006.

Thomas Partey had given Ghana an 11th minute lead, before William Troost Ekong levelled for the Super Eagles in the 22nd minute. The Super Eagles thought they had grabbed the lead in the 34th minute but Victor Osimhen was flagged down for offside and the decision was confirmed by VAR.

In the second half, Ghana managed to soak in the pressure from Nigeria and held on till the final whistle to progress.

Senegal 1-0 Egypt (1-1 on aggregate, 3-1 on penalties)

Senegal beat Egypt on penalties. Having beaten Egypt on penalties to clinch its first Africa Cup of Nations title, Senegal repeated the same feat, this time to seal a place at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In regulation time, Senegal had scored in the fourth minute as Boulaye Dia made the most of a defensive error to score and level the tie on aggregate. The 1-0 scoreline on the night would stay till the end of 90 minutes and additional 30, prompting the game to be decided on penalties.

Once again, it was Sadio Mane who scored the decisive kick as Senegal progressed to the World Cup for the third time in their history.

Morocco 4-1 DR Congo (5-2 aggregate)

The Atlas Lions were in emphatic form against the Congolese at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, winning 4-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to sail into their sixth World Cup appearance.

Azzedine Ounahi scored a brace with Tarik Tissoudali and Achraf Hakimi adding one each to the massive victory. Ben Malango scored DR Congo’s only goal, but it was mere consolation as the Moroccans sailed through with ease.

Algeria 1-2 Cameroon (2-2 on aggregate)

Karl Toko Ekambi swept home perhaps the most important goal of his career, scoring in the fourth minute of added time as Cameroon beat Algeria 2-1 in Blida to qualify for their eighth FIFA World Cup. The two teams played to a 2-2 aggregate score, but Cameroon qualify to Qatar on the away goals rule.

Algeria coach Djabel Belmadi sinks to the turf after the fulltime whistle as they were knocked out by Cameroon in their World Cup qualification playoff.

The game was forced to extra time after a 1-0 score-line to Cameroon in the regulation 90 minutes. Skipper Maxime Choupo Moting scored the lone goal for Cameroon, slamming the ball home after keeper Rais M’Bohli dropped a corner right at his feet.

In extra time, Algeria thought they had scored a vital goal when Slimani netted from a cross on the left. However, Algeria’s celebrations were cut short by the VAR, with the Algerian forward adjudged to have handled the ball as he headed the ball in.

Algeria then scored two minutes to the end when Ahmed Touba headed home Rachid Ghezzal’s corner, but the Indomitable Lions had the last laugh. Ekambi swept the ball home inside the box after Michael Ngadeu headed down the ball for him to send Cameroon through to the World Cup finals.

Tunisia 0-0 Mali ( 1-0 on aggregate)

Elsewhere, Tunisia completed the roster of five for African teams to Qatar despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Mali at home.

The 1-0 victory they picked in Bamako last week proved to be vital, as the Carthage Eagles progressed to their sixth World Cup appearance.

 

Chidi Nwoke/CAF.

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