Following a poor start to the 2022 World Cup by African teams, round 2 fixtures provided mother Africa with a new lease of hope in Qatar.
First, the Lions of Taranga defeated host Qatar 3-1 in a Group A match held in Doha. The Senegalese had opened the tournament with a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands and needed nothing less than a win against the host to save their tournament. First half goal by Boulaye Dia were followed by two second half goals by Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng. Senegal remain 3rd in Group A trailing both Netherlands and Ecuador b just a single point going into the final round of fixtures.
Morocco went second in Group F after beating favorites Belgium 2-0. Abdelhamid Sabiri netted the opener in the 73rd minute to fire the Dessert Foxes one up in the second half. Morocco earlier had a goal disallowed in the first half thanks to VAR which adjudged captain Romain Saiid offside from a Hakim Ziyech strike. Morocco proved not to be discouraged by the decision and continued to frustratye the Belgians before being rewarded with the first goal. In stoppage time, it was Ziyech again who went through Belgian defense coming from the right side of attack and laid it on the path of Zakaria Aboukhlal who made no mistake inside the box to make it 2-0.
Tunisia have a greater possibility of elimination at the tournament in Qatar following a 1-0 defeat to Australia. The last game for the North Africans is against the Kyllan Mbappe-led French team who have been a free scoring side in the middle-east tournament. The French have secured their spot in the next round and it will remain to be seen if they will put their front foot off the paddle to allow the North African to pounce.
It remains to be seen if mother Africa will continue to search for more points in her quest to reach the knockout stages.
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