Super Eagles eyes on Afcon trophy and Qatar 2022 playoff opponent
Facts – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, African Playoffs Draw
As the Super Eagles continue their preparation for the crucial round of sixteen match against in ongoing Afcon in Cameroon on Sunday, their eyes will also be focused on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as the African Qualifiers Third Round draw which will be conducted on Saturday, 22 January 2022 in Douala, Cameroon.
The draw will start at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT, 17:00 CAT), and will be live on CAF platforms. Ten countries that qualified including Nigeria will be divided into two levels based on the official FIFA ranking, published on 19 November 2021 as follows.
The countries in Level 1 are Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Nigeria. Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali and DR Congo are in Level 2.
The five highest-ranked teams will play against the five least ranked teams, the first leg will be played at the home of the lower-ranked teams.
The Eagles can draw Cameroon, the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in Italy in 1990. They appeared in seven editions, African record (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014). In total, Cameroon played 23 matches, where they won 4, drew 7 and lost 12. They scored 18 goals and conceded 43 in the process. On current form, the Indomitable Lions will be a hard nut to crack.
Our boys can also draw DR Congo who made a world cup appearance in West Germany in 1974. They played 3 World Cup matches; losing them all, scoring none and conceding 14 goals. Many Nigerians believe playing DR Congo is a good one for the Super Eagles.
Egypt our opponent in the group stage of the ongoing Afcon is another country we can draw. The first African country to reach the FIFA World Cup in Italy 1934. They appeared in three World Cups (1934, 1990 and 2018).
In total, Egypt played 7 World Cup matches; winning none, drawing twice and losing 5. They scored 5 goals and conceded 12 in the process.
Though Ghana had a very poor performance at the Afcon crashing out in the group stage Nigerians are praying we avoid Ghana. A long history of rivalry could make playing Ghana for the world cup ticket a tough game. One of three African teams to play a World Cup quarterfinal, in South Africa 2010. They have appeared in the World Cup three times (2006, 2010, and 2014)
In total, Ghana played 12 World Cup matches; winning 4, drawing 3 and losing 5. The Black Stars scored 13 goals and conceded 16 in the process.
Mali is the only team that the Super Eagles can meet in the playoffs that have never played in the World Cup finals before. On the current form, they are good.
