International Football
FIFA PROVIDES FORENSIC ANALYSES OF AFRICAN PRELIMINARY DRAW FOR QATAR 2022
Excitement is mounting ahead of the African qualifying competition for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, especially with the draw for the first round being made on Monday. There is something for everyone in the 14 ties, which feature derbies, reunions and more than one intriguing match-up.
After overseeing the draw, Ghanaian football legend Anthony Baffoe identified the West African duel between Liberia and Sierra Leone as the pick of the 14 ties.
“The countries have produced two of the continent’s great players: George Weah and Mohamed Kallon respectively,” said the former Black Star.
“Gambia v Angola and Botswana v Malawi will also be interesting ties,” he added. “The meeting between two teams that appeared at the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations [Burundi and Tanzania] should also be exciting.”
The ties will be played over two legs, to be held between 2 and 10 September 2019. The 14 winners will join the continent’s top 26 teams, who were all given first-round byes, to form the group of 40 sides that will contest the second round.
Did You Know?
Ethiopia-Lesotho,
old foes meet again
The last official meeting between the two was a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifier that ended in a 2-1 victory for the Ethiopians, with all three goals
truly spectacular strikes.
Somalia-Zimbabwe,
from opposite ends of the Ranking
Zimbabwe are the best-ranked of the 28 teams contesting the first round in the
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for July 2019, lying 112th. In contrast, Somalia
are the joint lowest, bringing up the rear in Africa in 202nd, a position they
share with Eritrea.
Eritrea-Namibia,
a foregone conclusion?
Another clash of opposites. Surprise qualifiers for this year’s Africa Cup of
Nations, Namibia will be expected to see off the Eritreans, the joint lowest
African team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
Burundi-Tanzania,
too close to call
Judging by their recent appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, which saw
Burundi make their debut in the competition and Tanzania their first appearance
in 39 years, this tie should be one of the tightest in the first round. The
duel between Tanzania forward Mbwana Samatta and Burundi front man Fiston Abdul
Razak will be one to watch.
Djibouti-Eswatini,
revenge in the air
This tie presents Djibouti with an early opportunity to avenge their 6-0 and
2-1 defeats to Eswatini in the qualifiers for Russia 2018.
Botswana-Malawi,
happy memories for the Flames
It was against Botswana that Malawi chalked up their record international win,
an 8-1 victory on 13 July 1968, a result that is also Botswana’s heaviest
defeat of all time.
Gambia-Angola,
experience could prove crucial
Of the 28 teams in action in the first round, Angola are – along with Togo –
the only ones to have graced the World Cup, at Germany 2006. Meanwhile, Gambia
have never so much as appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liberia-Sierra
Leone, a rivalry renewed
One of the few genuine derbies in the first round. “They won’t have too far to
travel to knock the other one out,” said Baffoe at the draw ceremony.
Mauritius-Mozambique,
history in the making again?
The Mauritians have happy memories of playing Mozambique, the islanders having
beaten them 1-0 to record their first ever Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win
back in 2015. Can they repeat the trick in a World Cup preliminary match?
Sao Tome e
Principe-Guinea Bissau, a battle of two Portuguese-speaking nations
There are six African countries where Portuguese is an official language. Sao
Tome e Principe and Guinea Bissau are two of them.
South
Sudan-Equatorial Guinea, a score to settle
Like Botswana and Malawi, Equatorial Guinea recorded their biggest ever win
against the South Sudanese: a 4-0 win in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifier.
Comoros-Togo,
together again
Comoros and Togo will meet in the first round, having just been drawn together
in the first round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Chad-Sudan,
the derby of the west
Aside from Liberia-Sierra Leone, this is the other derby in the first round.
Chad and Sudan are neighbours and the rivalry between the two national teams is
intense.
Seychelles-Rwanda,
a first-time meeting
The two sides have never faced off in an official match before, with Seychelles
aiming for their first ever win in a World Cup campaign.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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