African World Cup play-offs are done!

The CAF is the last federation to deliver a team for the World Cup 2022. Where all other federations already knew at least one team that qualified, CAF played their final play-off games on Tuesday night. In this article we discuss all five play-off games and the teams that qualified for the World Cup 2022. Do you want to support any of these five teams in Qatar? Book your World Cup 2022 tickets securely online via our online booking system.

Senegal versus Egypt

Senegal and Egypt played each other for the second and third time this year. Every single match between them in 2022 was close. The first one was the final of the Africa Cup. Senegal won this match after penalties. Both teams didn’t score during the first 120 minutes, so penalties where the deciding factor. Sadio mane, who missed a penalty in the first half, scored the winning penalty for Senegal. Now they play two other very important games. The winner of this battle qualifies for the World Cup in Qatar. Egypt won the first match with 1-0. Senegal won the second match with 1-0 as well. For the second time in 3 months, Senegal and Egypt play 30 minutes of extra time leading towards a penalty series. Once again Senegal was too good during the penalty serie. Egypte only scored 1 out of the 4 penalties taken. Sadio Mane scored Senegal’s fifth penalty to bring Senegal to the World Cup in Qatar..

Nigeria versus Ghana

Another battle between some giants in African football. Nigeria was the favourite to qualify, since it looks like they’ve got a slightly better squad. Nevertheless, Ghana managed to hold them on a goalless draw. An early goal by Thomas Partey in the second leg, gave them a huge advantage. Nigeria now needed to score at least two goals to qualify. William Troost-Ekong scored one of those two goals 12 minutes after the 0-1. How much they tried, Nigeria failed to score a second goal. With a 1-1 draw away from home, Ghana forced qualification for the World Cup 2022.

Algeria versus Cameroon

This was another very tight battle between two strong teams. Algeria won the first match in Cameroon with 0-1. They were expected to finish the job at home. Now it was Cameroon who took the lead in the first half. They defended this lead to the 90th minute. Another play-off match they went into extra time. It looked like penalties were needed to make the difference, until Algeria scored the 1-1 in the 118th minute. In the 124th minute Cameroon scored another goal to win this match with 1-2 and qualify for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Morocco versus DR Congo

Out of all African play-offs games, this one was the least exciting. Even after the first match, which ended in a draw. The second match was an easy victory for Morocco. They led with 2-0 at half-time and doubled the score in the second half. Congo did something back with a goal in the 77th minute, but this was nowhere good enough for them to get to the World Cup. Morocco qualified with a 4-1 victory at home.

Tunisia versus Mali

Tunisia versus Mali was another close battle. Tunisia won the first leg of this tie with 1-0. The second leg was very close, but Tunisia managed to keep Mali away from scoring a goal. This one goal in 180 minutes of football, Tunisia qualified for the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.