Qatar 2022, Africa qualifiers: the play-offs

Ten teams, five double challenges. Up for grabs, there are five tickets to access the next World Cup. The run-up to Qatar 2022 continues with the comparisons between the best African national teams, winners of the second phase and now one step away from their dream. One day after the elimination of Italy by North Macedonia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt and Ghana take the field for the first leg of the qualifying finals, hosting respectively Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria. In the first time slot – that of 16 – Hakimi and his teammates draw (1-1) with the Democratic Republic of Congo: Tissoudali responds to the advantage of the hosts, achieved by Wissa. The return match is scheduled for March 29 and will be decisive in deciding which teams will take part in the next World Cup.

Democratic Rep. Of Congo-Morocco 1-1

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The first match of the day is the one between the teams led by Hector Cuper and Halilhodzic: in Kinshasa the first relies on the OM Bakambu center-forward, the second on old Serie A acquaintances Masina, Amrabat and Hakimi. The guests, on the card favorites, bet on ball possession already in the first ten minutes. In the 12th minute, however, Wissa gave the hosts the advantage with a shot from the edge, the icing on the cake after a successful dribble on the opponents. Morocco tries to get back into the game first with En-Nesyri and then with Mmaee, but their conclusions are inaccurate. At 55 ‘, Mmaee made an incredible mistake from eleven meters: the Ferencvaros striker shows up on the spot following a hand ball in the Bakambu area, tries to displace the goalkeeper but the ball ends up in the corner. The Democratic Republic of Congo repeatedly tries to double, first with Wissa and then with Mbokani, Hakimi is instead the liveliest among him but fails to make himself dangerous. The equalizer comes in the 77th minute with Tissoudali, who uses one side of El Kaabi to kick from the edge and sign the final 1-1.