World Cup 2022: Five African Players To Watch In Qatar

Five African countries will be represented at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar but will this be the time when at least one of these teams will lift the global trophy?

Here are the five (5) countries,

African Countries:
- Senegal
- Morocco 
- Tunisia
- Cameroon
- Ghana

Senegal is the defending champions of the AFCON 2021 while also claiming the most awards during the CAF awards including the African Best male footballer, Best nation and best coach.

The very first player to look forward to at the Qatar World Cup is:

- Sadio Mane:

The new Bayern Munich man is settling well in Germany after a successful career at Liverpool.

Mane has won every trophy available for a player playing in England - UEFA champions league, Premier League, Community Shield, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Sadio Mane

He also won the inaugural Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October for his humanitarian acts in his hometown Bambali, Senegal.

He has endured a struggling start which is true of any player moving to another league after years in England or any other country. Even Lionel Messi had a rough start in his first season in Ligue 1.

But can we really call it struggling given his 6 goals and 2 assists in the League, 1 goal in the DFB Pokal and 3 goals in the Champions League?

Now attention turns to the World Cup which would start on November 20.

Sadio Mane Wins AFCON

Senegal will start their campaign against the Netherlands on November 21st 2022.

It would be a tough match as both teams are tipped to qualify from group A after host nation Qatar face Ecuador.

Mane is always crucial to the Senegalese team with his aggressive shooting prowess but he faces Virgil van Dijk and possibly teammate Matthis De Ligt in the backline.

- Morocco (Hakim Achraf)

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf has rose to become one of the best-attacking options in the world.

He started his trade at Real Madrid deputising Dani Carvajal after the Spaniard sustained a heart injury.

Hakimi Achraf's goal against GabonAchraf was loaned off to Borussia Dortmund with the return of Carvajal from injury and he made a name for himself.

He later sealed a €40 million transfer move to Inter Milan where he scored 7 goals and 11 assists.

With the blistering start to life in Serie A, PSG came for his services with €60 million deal which Inter Milan accepted given their need to sell.

Hakimi was also called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He started all of his matches in the group stages. 

He scored a free kick in a 2-2 tie against Gabon. He started in the round of 16 against Malawi, scoring a free kick in the 70th minute to grant his team the victory.

He is another name to watch in Qatar 

- Morocco (Youssef En-Neysri)

The Sevilla forward should be one of Morocco's frontline at the World Cup barring any injury.

En NeysriTwo things that En-Neysri brings to the team are aerial prowess and finishing instinct.

With struggles at Seville over the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, he hasn't been performing like before but the World cup could kick-start the year for him.

- Cameroon (Vincent Aboubakar)

The Golden Boot holder at the AFCON will be expecting to play his last World Cup if he can make the cut for the selection.

Given his goal exploit at the AFCON he could be chosen to lead the frontline.

Vincent Aboubakar Celebrates GoalIn a very daunting group including Portugal, last world cup runner-up Croatia and South Korea.

Cameroon will need Aboubakar to at least qualify from the group.

- Ghana (Inaki Williams)

Ghana qualified narrowly past the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the MKO stadium with a draw after playing a goalless draw in Ghana.

Several stars across Europe have changed their nationality so they can play at the World Cup after having origin in West African nations.

Inaki Williams

Inaki Williams, Hodson Odoi, Lamptey, Schlupp are among those who would be playing for Ghana.

Inaki Williams could give Ghana what Gyan Asamoah gave them in 2010 when Ghana almost went to the semifinal.

His pace and dribble could rip defences apart in a quick counter-attack but a friendly game against Brazil laid bare several weaknesses and that they are not yet a team yet.

But if they can gel, he could be their focal point in the attack.