World Cup 2022 - The African Mirror

Dec

2022

Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup 2022 – blame their disdain for football school structures and development

NIGERIA’S national men’s football team is absent from this year’s World Cup in Qatar. It is only the second time since its first appearance in the tournament in 1994 that the Super Eagles failed to qualify. Sports scientist and FIFA physical fitness instructor Isiaka Oladele Oladipo explains why the team missed out and what it must do to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Author ISIAKA OLADELE OLADIPO, Professor of Sports and Exercise Physiology, University of Ibadan Why didn’t Nigeria qualify for the 2022 World Cup? It was not a day’s failure. It started a while before we played the…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: From Morocco to Cameroon, African teams claimed new records in Qatar

SPORT

JOEL OMOTTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY FOR the first time in history, Africa will be represented in the last four of a World Cup, after Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final at the Al Thumama stadium in Doha. Before that stunning victory, the Atlas Lions and Senegal made it to the round of 16, making this Africa's best performance at the World Cup since 2014. All the African teams that competed at Qatar 2022 also won at least one match, for the first time in World Cup history. And it was local African coaches that led the five teams. The…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

Morocco makes history, carries hopes of Africa, Arab world

SPORT

MOROCCO rode a wave of passionate support and kept the World Cup dreams of the Arab world alive as they eliminated fancied Spain in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals. In doing so, they became the first Arab nation to advance to the last eight, ensuring a breakthrough for the region in the first global tournament in the Middle East, and also became the fourth African side to go this far in World Cup history. Their victory will be seen as not only a triumph for Morocco but vindication of the controversial FIFA decision to hand Qatar the hosting…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World cup 2022: Six facts about the Morocco national football team

SPORT

THE Atlas Lions held Croatia to a goalless draw in their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday, 25th November. The North African side will take on Belgium Sunday 27th, in their second Group F game World Cup pedigree: Morocco is making its sixth World Cup appearance in Qatar following their exertions in the 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018 tournaments. The Atlas Lions have played 16 matches, winning just two, recording five draws and nine defeats. Star player: Hakim Ziyech -The Chelsea winger returned to the national team just in time for the World Cup after his most-publicised…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World cup 2022: Match facts on Ghana and Cameroon as they represent Africa in Qatar today

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO FOR BIRD STORY AGENCY THE focus shifts to Group G and H, where Ghana’s Black Stars will start their campaign against Portugal at the Lusail Stadium while Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will take on Switzerland at the Al Janoub Stadium. Ghana World Cup pedigree: This is Ghana’s fourth World Cup after making their debut in 2006 and competing again at the 2010 and 2014 tournaments. Best performance: The Black Stars reached the quarter-final of the 2010 edition in South Africa. It ended heartbreakingly when Asamoah Gyan missed an extra-time penalty that could have seen them become the first African…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Seven cool facts about the Senegalese national football team

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY WORLD Cup appearances: This is Senegal's third World Cup after making their debut in South Korea /Japan in 2002 and competing for the second time at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Best performance: Senegal shocked the world when they stormed to the quarter-finals of the 2002 tournament on their debut, with victory against then-champions France, Denmark, Uruguay and Sweden, before losing to Turkey in extra time. Victims of an unusual FIFA rule: They were the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated using the fair play rule after being tied with Japan…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Stats, Facts, and Tidbits on Tunisia’s National football team

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO WORLD Cup pedigree: This is Tunisia's sixth World Cup after 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018 but they have never gone past the group stage. The North Africans have played 15 World Cup games, winning two, with four draws and nine defeats. Best performance: Their two wins came 40 years apart, beating Mexico 3-1 on their debut in 1978 with the second victory, a 2-1 triumph over Panama in Russia in 2018. Star man: Wahbi Khazri -The French-born forward is one of the most experienced players in the squad, and this will be his second World Cup after…

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

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…