The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Africa qualifiers enters a crucial stage. Teams will be playing the second leg of the preliminary round with winners progressing to the group stage. Who will go through? Here are Things to look out for in Africa World Cup qualifiers. Bet on football here.
Somalia on the brink of making history, again
Somalia made history last Thursday when they defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifier in Djibouti. This was their first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup qualifier since they made their debut way back in 1982. Beating a team fresh out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, playing in neutral ground and ending a run of 19 straight defeats makes the result magical. The Ocean Stars are just one game away from qualifying for the group stage. The second leg in Harare will definitely be an uphill battle but not impossible for a team ranked 202 in the world. Can they do it?
Malawi’s unbeaten home run
The Flames snatched a goalless draw away from home in Botswana and have a good chance of progressing to the group stage when they play at home. Malawi are unbeaten in their last nine home matches. However, they’ve drawn seven of those matches a run which gives them the advantage against Adel Amrouche’s side. The Flames have not lost at home to the Zebras in their last two matches. The match is still beautifully poised and either side have a chance.
Sudan and Rwanda to go through?
Both Sudan and Rwanda registered huge wins in the first leg of the qualifiers. Sudan beat their neighbours and rivals Chad 3-1 away from home, inspired by a stunning Ramadan Agab hat-trick. Rwanda romped to a comfortable 3-0 away win over Seychelles in their first-round first-leg qualifier in Victoria. The Amavubi are winless in their last four matches at home but that away win make them obvious favourites. Sudan also have one foot in the group stage and should surely finish the job at home against a Chad team that has played just three matches since late 2015.
Revenge mission for Djibouti
Djibouti secured a shock 2-1 home win over Eswatini ending a run of five straight defeats. Julien Mette’s team are hoping to finish the job in the southern African country. Ranked 195th in the world, Djibouti were on a revenge mission in this tie. Eswatini had hammered Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and Mette’s charges are still not done yet. Eswatini have not won at home in their last ten matches and have lost six and drawn four. This is good news for Djibouti. Can they exact their revenge?
Mozambique to seal the deal?
Mozambique secured a narrow 1-0 over Mauritius away from home and look set to complete the job at home. They are unbeaten in their last two home matches while Mauritius are winless in their last ten matches. The Mambas were eliminated in the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers by Madagascar and newly appointed coach Luis Goncalves will be looking to secure his second win as boss. Everything points to a home win bar any surprise by an out of form Mauritius team.