2022 World Cup: ESPN Predictions for Africa’s five teams

American sports channel ESPN have come out with their predictions for African participation countries in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament to be staged in Qatar.

Five countries will represent the African continent in the biggest soccer mundial later this year.

The FIFA World Cup will be staged in the Asian country between November and December 2022 with Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia representing the continent.

Ghana, the four-time African champions who will be making their fourth appearance at the Mundial after participating in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions have been paired in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.

Senegal, who have appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on two occasions will be making their third appearance. In 2002, they reached the quarter finals.

The Teranga Lions have been pitted in Group A against host country, Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands.

Cameroon is set to participate in the World Cup for the ninth time. In 1990 Cameroon reached the quarter-finals before being defeated 3–2 by England.

The Indomitable Lions are in Group G where they will battle it out against powerhouse Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland.

Morocco have qualified for the final stages of the FIFA World Cup on six occasions and are set to feature in their seventh tournament.

Their best performance was in 1986, where they reached the round of 16.

The Atlas Lions have been paired against Belgium, Canada and Croatia in Group F.

Tunisia have appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on five occasions and will participate in their sixth tournament in Qatar.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are paired in Group D against France, Denmark and one other country that will secure qualification in the play-off.

Ahead of the tournament, ESPN have anticipated the results of African countries group games.

Group H: Portugal vs. Ghana (Nov. 24):

According to ESPN, Ghana limped into the tournament off a lucky Thomas Partey goal in a match that Nigeria dominated. They also failed to progress from the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, they have predicted a 2-0 defeat for Ghana against Portugal.

South Korea vs, Ghana (Nov. 28):

This isn’t a vintage South Korea side by any means, but the draw fell pretty nicely for them.

In spite of that, ESPN have predicted a 1-0 defeat for Ghana against the Asian country.

Ghana vs. Uruguay (Dec. 2): here, ESPN is anticipating 2-2 draw between the two countries.

Group A: Senegal vs. Netherlands (Nov. 21): Here they are predicting a 1-1 draw between the two countries considering their goal scoring ratio in their last appearances.

Qatar vs. Senegal (Nov. 25):

ESPN believes the host country will struggle to handle PSG’s Idrissa Gueye, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Liverpool star Sadio Mane, hence predicting a 2-0 win for Senegal.

Ecuador vs. Senegal (Nov. 29):

While a win would put Ecuador through, a draw or a win would be good enough for Senegal.

It was the same exact situation when Senegal played Colombia in the final group stage game in 2018 — and lost. Four years later, they’ve learned their lesson, however, the believe Senegal will play a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

Group G: Switzerland vs. Cameroon (Nov. 24):

The anticipated results is a 1-0 win for Switzerland over Rigobert Song’s Cameroon.

Cameroon vs. Serbia (Nov. 28):

This just isn’t a good group for Cameroon. Brazil might be the best team in the tournament, while Serbia and Switzerland both rank within the top 15 of the Twenty First Group rankings.

The Indomitable Lions been given just a 10% chance of reaching the knockout rounds. Only Qatar (6%) has a smaller chance of advancing.

They anticipate a 2-1 defeat for Cameroon in their second group game.

Cameroon vs. Brazil (Dec. 2):

Just a brutal draw for Cameroon. They were also in Brazil’s group in 2014. The predicted scores is 2-1 win in favour of the South American giants.

Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia (Nov. 23):

These are two teams that illustrate the dual beauty and curse of international soccer: some global superstars playing with some guys from the Croatian and Moroccan first divisions. It would be a massive boost for Morocco if Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech decides to unretire before the World Cup, but we’re counting him out for now. Croatia, meanwhile, are essentially just a worse, older version of the unlikely team that made the World Cup final last time around.

Among tournament sides, Croatia rank 11th according to Twenty First Group, while the Moroccans sit 17th.

ESPN has predicted a 2-1 win for Morocco over Croatia.

Belgium vs. Morocco (Nov. 27):

Belgium team than the one we saw at the last World Cup. Eden Hazard has essentially fallen off the face of the Earth, while Romelu Lukaku has five goals for Chelsea this season and is no longer one of Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice attackers.

The predicted scores is 1-1 draw.

Canada vs. Morocco (Dec. 1): here, they are predicting a 1-1 draw.

Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia (Nov. 22): ESPN believes Denmark will defeat Tunisia 2-0.

Tunisia vs. Peru (Nov. 26): Based on the Twenty First Group ratings, this would be the worst game of the tournament. Both teams are ranked 27^th and 29^th respectively.

The Carthage Eagles has been tipped to lose 2-1 against Peru.

Tunisia vs. France (Nov. 30): The defending champions has been tipped to wallop the North African side 3-0 in the final group game.