Qatar - The African Mirror

Nov

2022

Ghana double sees off Swiss in World Cup warm-up

GHANA scored twice in the space of four second-half minutes to secure a convincing 2-0 win over Switzerland in their World Cup warm-up friendly in Abu Dhabi. Defender Mohammed Salisu broke the deadlock with a looping header from a poorly defended corner as Ghana took a 70th-minute lead. A storming run from Kamaldeen Sulemana four minutes later was blocked by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but the ball popped up for Antoine Semenyo to fire home from close range. Both countries were using the match to prepare for their opening game at the World Cup in Qatar. Ghana takes on Portugal…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Senegal and Cameroon carry Africa’s best hopes

SPORT

THE men’s Fifa World Cup kicks off on 20 November in Qatar. Africa is allocated five spots in the month-long final stage of this elite competition, held every four years. Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia secured their places after a preliminary knockout phase followed by a four-team round-robin competition. Once again, many pundits are wondering if an African team can win it all at this unconventionally scheduled World Cup (it’s usually held mid-year). No African team has ever qualified for the semi-finals. Only Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana have reached the quarter-final stage before. Author WYCLIFFE W. NJORORAI SIMIYU, Professor,…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022 betting odds: which team are favourites to win?

SPORT

Following are the betting odds for the winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the top goalscorer at the tournament, which will be held in Qatar from November 20-December 18. WILLIAM HILL Winners: * Brazil - 4/1 * Argentina - 5/1 * France - 13/2 * England - 7/1 * Spain - 8/1 Top goalscorer: * Harry Kane (England) - 8/1 * Kylian Mbappe (France) - 9/1 * Karim Benzema (France) - 10/1 * Neymar (Brazil) - 12/1 * Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 12/1 BET365 Winners: * Brazil - 15/4 * Argentina - 11/2 * France - 13/2 *…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

No major surprises in Tunisia’s World Cup squad

SPORT

TUNISIA has dropped the French-based winger Saif-Eddine Khaoui for the World Cup but coach Jalel Kadri made no other major changes in naming his 26-man selection. Khaoui was chosen in the squad that competed at the World Cup in Russia four years ago and, although infrequently played for Tunisia since, had been expected to be included given his form in Ligue 1 for his club Clermont. A total of 10 players survive from the squad that competed at the last World Cup, where Tunisia were beaten by both Belgium and England but did win their last group game against Panama. Veteran goalkeeper…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup-bound Kuol ‘lethal’, says Mariners coach Montgomery

SPORT

CENTRAL Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery labelled Australia's World Cup-bound teenager Garang Kuol "lethal" as the forward signed off from A-League action with a brace from the bench against Macarthur FC. The 18-year-old, the youngest member of the Socceroos squad heading to Qatar, scored twice to pull the 10-man Mariners level against Dwight Yorke's team but a late goal from Jed Drew earned the Bulls a 3-2 win that moves them to fourth in the standings. But it was the performance of Kuol that was the key talking point as the youngster underlined once against why Australia coach Graham Arnold included…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: full list of 26-man squads playing in FIFA tournament

SPORT

FOLLOWING is a list of players who have been called up for the November 20 - December 18 World Cup in Qatar. ARGENTINA Injured forward Paulo Dybala has not played for his club AS Roma since early October but has been named in the squad, while Lionel Messi will lead the side. Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Franco Armani (River Plate) and Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal). Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla).Advertisement · Scroll…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

Brazil to clinch sixth World Cup in Qatar – market analysts

SPORT

VUYANI NDABA and SARUPYA GANGULY BRAZIL is tipped to claim the World Cup for the sixth time in the tournament that kicks off November 20 in Qatar, according to a Reuters poll that last successfully predicted the champions in 2010. The global survey of 135 football-following market analysts worldwide agreed with the bookmakers that Brazil would triumph for the first time since 2002. Almost half of the respondents expected Brazil to win while 30% were evenly split between France and Argentina. Germany, England and Belgium scored in high single digits. "Brazil has a big chance this time with the depth…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

Costa Rica head to World Cup after home victory over Nigeria

SPORT

WORLD Cup-bound Costa Rica bid farewell to home fans with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in a friendly international on Wednesday. Oscar Duarte’s seventh-minute goal was followed by a second from Kendall Waston in the 73rd minute against a Nigerian team without any of their overseas-based regulars and made up mainly of members of their Under-23 team. Costa Rica had several other chances to add to their tally as supporters at the National Stadium provided a carnival atmosphere ahead of the team's departure for the World Cup in Qatar. Costa Rica will compete against Germany, Japan and Spain in Group…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

Cameroon’s fortunes a long way off their 1990 heroics

SPORT

MARK GLEESON CAMEROON'S image as World Cup gatecrashers, capable of taking down top contenders and wreaking havoc, has faded away after two decades of failure at the finals. There will be limited expectations of the Indomitable Lions in Qatar, where they are in a tough group with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland, after their failure to make any impact since their fabled exploits at Italia '90. That remains their high point as a charismatic side caught the world's imagination with equal measures of trickery and aggression and became the first Africans to reach the last eight. Resplendent in their colourful green,…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

Portaloos and home security: Qatar braces for World Cup influx

SPORT

ANDREW MILLS A gleaming white World Cup stadium looms large at the end of the street in the quiet suburban neighbourhood of Al Thumama. In three weeks, tens of thousands of soccer fans will file past the tidy villas, mosques and shops that line the route to the stadium due to host eight matches during the tournament. On Tuesday, the quarter was bracing itself for the November 20 kickoff of the World Cup: crowd control barriers on sidewalks, portable toilets beside houses and heightened home security. "We have to be careful. We have to secure our houses...all year we leave…