Each participating nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has completed two matches so far and there is still plenty to play for among the African nations in Qatar. No African team has been eliminated from the race for spots in the Round of 16 and have certainly made an impression at the world football showcase, highlighted by Morocco’s excellent performance in a competitive Group F. Below we take a look at the current situation for each African team along with our observations of how the managers and players have performed so far:

Each participating nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has completed two matches so far and there is still plenty to play for among the African nations in Qatar. No African team has been eliminated from the race for spots in the Round of 16 and have certainly made an impression at the world football showcase, highlighted by Morocco’s excellent performance in a competitive Group F. Below we take a look at the current situation for each African team along with our observations of how the managers and players have performed so far:

Senegal

Results

November 21: Senegal 0-2 Netherlands

November 25: Qatar 1-3 Senegal

November 29: Senegal v Ecuador

Group A Table

Observations

• Senegal have done well considering the circumstances and Senegalese supporters cannot be disappointed with the position they are in. If the team was told that all they needed to do to advance to the next round was defeat Ecuador, the players and their supporters would embrace the opportunity.
• Manager Aliou Cissé continues to inspire his team and his style of play is a good strategy for the World Cup. Without Sadio Mané, Senegal lacks some efficiency but the victory against Qatar gave the attack more confidence with three forwards each scoring a goal.
• Cissé changed his formation and used two strikers in their win against Qatar where the Teranga Lions were the favorites, giving him an important decision to make. Does Cissé use the same formation against Ecuador?
• Dual national Ismail Jakobs is a player that Cissé clearly likes and we all saw why with his corner kick that set up Diédhiou’s headed goal. The German-born attacking left back gave Senegal another dimension in attack with his crossing and wide play that was lacking against Netherlands when center back Abdou Diallo was forced to play out of position on the flank.
• Ismaïla Sarr is doing all he can to play at a higher level with Mané out and looks inspired to produce his best. Sarr and fellow attacking midfielder Krépin Diatta need to produce against Ecuador and have shown that they are capable so far.
• Criticism of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy continued from his struggles at club level after a disappointing opening match against Netherlands but the Chelsea shot stopper responded with a brilliant performance against Qatar. The hosts were very much in the match but Mendy’s reaction saves finished off a crucial victory. A massive confidence boost for a player who could be the difference between an early exit and qualification for the next stage.
• Senegal’s veteran leaders have so far performed at the level that was expected of them. Center back captain Kalidou Koulibaly, central midfielder Idriss Gana Gueye and defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy will need to be at their best to give Senegal stability against Ecuador.
• Ecuador have proven themselves with their draw against Netherlands and will be a fascinating matchup against the African champions. The youth and high level of physical energy from the Ecuadorian team could cause issues if Cissé plays with a four-man midfield.

Tunisia

Results

November 22: Tunisia 0-0 Denmark

November 26: Tunisia 0-1 Australia

November 30: Tunisia v France

Group D Table

Observations

• The Australia defeat was a crushing blow for the hopes of Tunisian supporters who had to be encouraged by their team’s excellent performance against Denmark in the opening match. Now the Carthage Eagles need a victory against France and it looks highly unlikely even if France will probably rest multiple players.
• Once again the Tunisia’s lack of goal scoring ability arrived at the worst possible time. A team like Australia thrives when the match remains close and Tunisia were not bold and daring enough, making the matchup a “trap” for the North African side.
• The Tunisian midfield, as expected, proved they were capable of making an impact at this level. The performances of Ellyes Skhiri and Aïssa Laïdouni were crucial in the draw against Denmark and make Tunisia a worthy competitor at this high level of play.
• Manager Jalel Kadri kept a three-man backline for the Australia match and it may have cost him in the end. A more creative midfielder who is comfortable moving forward like Ferjani Sassi, Hannibal Mejbri or Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane could have made the difference in Kadri’s eleven to help Tunisia dominate.
• While the struggles in the attack are well documented, striker Issam Jebali looks promising as the leader of the Tunisian forward line. His industry and physical attributes created space and opportunities for wide attackers Youssef Msakni and Naïm Sliti but Msakni in particular failed to produce.
• There will be plenty of passion in the matchup against France. Tunisia will have plenty of support and another strong midfield performance could give the Carthage Eagles a fighting chance. However it is essential that captain Msakni and his fellow attackers take advantages of one of the few opportunities they are presented with.

Morocco

Results

November 23: Morocco 0-0 Croatia

November 27: Morocco 2-0 Belgium

December 1: Morocco v Canada

Group F Table

Observations

• We predicted that despite being in the “Group of Death”, this Morocco team has the team to mount a challenge and the Atlas Lions have proven themselves on the biggest stage so far. Now in an excellent position they only need a draw but will face a Canada team that has impressed and will be eager to earn the country’s first ever win in a World Cup.
• Hakim Ziyech is very motivated after a miserable 2022-23 season at Chelsea and gives Morocco the playmaker they needed so much. His effort and assist against Belgium were excellent. Morocco always had an excellent defense but now they are capable of scoring at a high level, an issue that was a major reason for their premature elimination at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
• Manager Walid Regragui is proving why he was trusted to lead Morocco despite having only three friendly matches in charge before the tournament. An African club champion with Wydad AC, the former Morocco player is showing that he was not just brought in to pacify a previously unavailable Ziyech but also has the tactical and motivational skill to lead his country to new heights on the world stage.
• Striker Youssef En-Nesyri continues his struggles to score but the Sevilla player’s effort and work rate is very valuable to the Moroccan attack and the reason why he is in the starting eleven. Perhaps the final match against Canada will see En-Nesyri finally get the goal he deserves.
• The Moroccan defense has not allowed a goal in over nine hours of play since Regragui took over with an incredibly talented defensive unit leading the way. Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd are up there with the best center back pairings in the competition with a good balance of tenacity from captain Saïss and calmness from Aguerd. Defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has been mostly brilliant so far and adds more protection to an already secure defense. We mentioned Amrabat is the most important player in the Morocco team and stand by it.
• We have yet to see the best from star right back Achraf Hakimi with the Paris Saint-Germain man appearing to be limited by minor injuries. Another previously banished player along with Ziyech under the prior manager, Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich has adjusted well to starting at left back while Wydad AC left back Yahia Attiyat Allah has been an excellent substitute for Hakimi that moves Mazraoui to his natural right flank position.
• Social media was occupied with the sudden disappearance of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from the starting lineup after appearing for the anthem but it appears the Sevilla shot stopper will be fit to face Canada, the country he was born in.

Cameroon

Results

November 24: Cameroon 0-1 Switzerland

November 28: Cameroon 3-3 Serbia

December 2: Cameroon v Brazil

Group G Table

Observations

• This team has been an absolute mess but brilliant entertainment for neutral supporters. However something is not quite right in how the Indomitable Lions have been operating under manager Rigobert Song. There is a real lack of connection between the midfield and attack that was well highlighted in the defeat to Switzerland.
• At the same time, who needs a midfield when you have physically powerful forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Choupo-Moting to send the ball to as well as the speed of Bryan Mbeumo? Cameroon is always a goal threat through direct play and took advantage of Serbia’s loss of focus to earn a point.
• Center backs Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nicolas Nkoulou have done well considering Nkoulou was brought back from a five-year absence to start. Castelletto continues to show his passing capabilities out of the back as seen in Aboubakar’s goal against Serbia and Nkoulou’s leadership qualities are much needed.
• Goalkeeper André Onana’s dismissal from the team is a major blow but shows all the drama and pressure going on in the Cameroonian camp. Public criticism from Cameroon supporters was at deafening levels leading up to the Serbia match and should only intensify if the team fails to pull off a highly unlikely victory against Brazil.
• Cameroon’s problems are apparent in the midfield. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Martin Hongla look frustrated at frequently being outnumbered and under pressure when they receive the ball. The Indomitable Lions have no way to calm things down when they need to and their defensive capabilities suffer as a result.
• With everything being said, it is difficult to expect Cameroon to get three points but this team certainly has an unpredictable charm about them. That forward line is always capable of getting goals but as we said in our preview, it seems like manager Song is more of a motivator rather than a tactician and that only goes so far at this level.

Ghana

Results

November 24: Ghana 2-3 Portugal

November 28: Ghana 3-2 South Korea

December 2: Ghana v Uruguay

Group H Table

Observations

• Nobody knew what to expect from Ghana coming into this tournament and manager Otto Addo has brilliantly used the unpredictability to his advantage, switching up his formation for the opener against Portugal with a 5-4-1 before using a more familiar look against South Korea with more of a 4-2-3-1. Expect Addo to keep things the same after the South Korea victory but he may have another trick up his sleeve against Uruguay.
• Mohammed Kudus is finally healthy and getting the spotlight he deserves, acting as a crucial link between the Ghanaian midfield and attack. The 22-year-old Ajax playmaker was the major reason Ghana posed a threat against Portugal and his match winner was calmly taken against South Korea.
• Thomas Partey is also healthy and playing his role well as a deeper lying midfielder with calmness when in possession. The Arsenal man tends to make a big play on important occasions and the final Group H match against Uruguay could be the time he comes through.
• Addo will need to find a way to help his defense limit attacks from the wing. Using different starting fullbacks in both matches has not revealed much but Tariq Lamptey looks to be the attacking threat Ghana needs on the right. There is no clarity on the left flank with Baba Rahman and Gideon Mensah each being exposed on the defensive end.
• Iñaki Williams is serving his role well up top by showing plenty of industry to make numerous forward runs and pull opposing defenders with him. The finishing is not there yet but he is far more of a threat than any other striker Ghana has put out there in the past couple of years and he opens up space for his teammates to operate with more freedom.
• The center backs have done reasonably well. Mohammed Salisu is growing more and more comfortable but Addo will have to decide whether Alexander Djiku may be a better partner for Salisu rather than Daniel Amartey in a four-man back line. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has been adequate and showed his shot stopping ability against South Korea.