PROMISING LIONSIN

Cameroon, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Ghana will represent Africa at Qatar World Cup. All five have appeared at football’s biggest event previously. Cameroon, Morocco and Senegal made it to the last-eight of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Tournament experience will not be in short supply, and neither will star power. Reigning African champions Senegal boast Sadio Mane, Cameroon’s Andrefrank Zambo Anguissa has been one of the best midfielders in the Italian topflight, Ghana’s diasporas recruitment drive will see them line up the likes of Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey in addition to Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, and Morocco’s wing-back Achrafhakimi is one of the best players in the world in his position. According to 1994 African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Amuneke, Senegal and Morocco represent the continent’s best chance of success in the Middle East. “The five teams have been tested enough in recent friendlies and they know they must first come out of the group before thinking of a semi-final ticket,” Amuneke said. “One step at a time will do. The tournament in Qatar is a great opportunity for African teams to fix what happened in Russia when no team progressed into the second round.”

It helps that Senegal have the most forgiving draw, having been drawn with hosts Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands in Group A. Morocco, Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana all have daunting groups to navigate through, with Belgium, Brazil, holders France and Portugal the top seeds in their respective groups.

The challenge before Africa’s representatives has never been tougher. If they are to break that glass ceiling, they will certainly have to earn it.