Africa’s five World Cup sides set for decisive friendlies
The African sides at the 2022 World Cup will play two friendlies over the next seven days as they seek to finalise their squads for the global tournament to be played in Qatar.
The five countries will be taking advantage of the international break to play their matches before they name their final squads for the global tournament in November.
The quintet have lined up the warm-up matches in Europe as the coaches seek to finalise their teams for the competition to be held in the Asian country.
With most of the players playing their trade in Europe, most of the countries will be playing their friendlies in European cities to ease travel concerns.
Several players have been recalled by some of the national teams to boost their squad while others have courted dual nationals to augment their squads.
Ghana has profited the most from players switching nationality. Germany-born duo of Stephan Ambrosius and Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer as well as former Spain star Inaki Williams and ex-England youth international Tariq Lamptey are all available.
They should be ready to play for the Black Stars when they take on Brazil on Friday in France before travelling to Spain to take on and Nicaragua on Tuesday.
Also playing against the five-time world champions Brazil are Tunisia whose second opponents during the international friendly break are Comoros.
The Carthage Eagles captain Wabhi Khazri says the match against the South Americans in France will give them the stern test needed for the World Cup.
Cameroon have recalled their experienced players Nicolas Nkoulou and George Mandjeck for warm-up in Asia against home side South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Nkoulou returns for the Indomitable Lions after a five-year absence while Mandjeck has been recalled by coach Rigobert Song following his last appearance for the side three years ago.
The former captain of Cameroon says he has recalled the players to inject some experience in the squad dominated by youngsters.
Senegal players congratulate Boulaye Dia of Senegal for scoring the opening goal during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Senegal and Egypt held at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Diamniadio, Sene
Injuries have resulted in Senegal handing debut call-ups to several players including Noah Fadiga, son of the country’s 2002 World Cup midfielder Khalilou, for the matches against Iran and Slovakia.
The Teranga Lions are one of Africa’s highly fancied sides at the tournament in Qatar and injury to Bayern Munich defender Bouna Sarr forced a rethink, resulting in Noah Fadiga’s call-up.
Morocco will also play friendlies as the Atlas Lions have lined up matches with Chile and Paraguay in Spain as some players have also been recalled to boost the squad.
New coach Walid Regragui has recalled Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech who was ostracized under former coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
The five African countries are hoping that the friendlies will give them the chance to prepare their final squad to help them excel at the competition in Qatar.
