{"id":1267639,"date":"2022-12-19T17:40:15","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T17:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/12\/19\/world-cup-2022-six-things-africa-learned-at-historic-finals\/"},"modified":"2022-12-19T17:40:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T17:40:15","slug":"world-cup-2022-six-things-africa-learned-at-historic-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/12\/19\/world-cup-2022-six-things-africa-learned-at-historic-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2022: Six things Africa learned at historic finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/span>
Youssef En-Nesyri has now scored three World Cup goals, more than any other Moroccan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a slow start to Qatar 2022, Africa\u2019s five representatives delivered the continent\u2019s finest World Cup in history. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

A record seven wins in the group stage \u2013 with all five sides winning at least one game \u2013 was enough to propel two teams, Morocco and African champions Senegal, to the knockout phase for only the second time, and first since 2014. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Atlas Lions added icing to the cake by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals, ultimately undone by 2018 champions France. <\/span><\/p>\n

After suffering its worst World Cup just four years ago, when Africa failed to reach the second round for the first time since 1982, the continent has rebounded in spectacular fashion. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m delighted with the standard of African football because for many decades now, we\u2019ve been talking about the development of African football and when their time will come \u2013 I think their time has come,\u201d said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what exactly did the continent learn from Qatar 2022? <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018The Miracle of Morocco\u2019<\/h3>\n
\"Sofyan<\/span><\/span>
Moroccan\u2019s Sofyan Amrabat was one of the players of the tournament with his unending energy in midfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was the African story of the World Cup \u2013 unfancied Morocco nearly going all the way. They topped their group, beating Belgium and Canada before dispatching Spain and Portugal to finally reach the last four.<\/span><\/p>\n

Appointed in August, Coach Walid Regragui recalled outcasts, brought in youngsters and nurtured a spirit that made the <\/span>Atlas Lions one of the top four teams<\/span> in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are much more of a family, more of a club side than a national team,\u201d said Regragui. \u201cI think that\u2019s what\u2019s given us this great strength.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole world is proud of this Moroccan team. We showed desire, played hard and have given a good image of Morocco and African football.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to Morocco\u2019s sensational run, Africa \u2013 which officially <\/span>finished fourth<\/span> \u2013 had never gone past the quarter-finals, with only Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) having reached that stage before. <\/span><\/p>\n

Door ever wider for female officials<\/h3>\n
\"Rwandan<\/span><\/span>
Salima Mukansanga \u2013 the first female fourth official in World Cup history \u2013 ushers on Kylian Mbappe during France\u2019s shock loss to Tunisia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the first time in World Cup history, <\/span>three women were among the 36 selected<\/span> for the elite group of referees with three more acting as assistant referees. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rwanda\u2019s Salima Mukansanga, Stephanie Frappart of France and Japan\u2019s Yoshimi Yamashita were the refereeing trailblazers, even if only Frappart made history when officiating a game in Qatar from the middle. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, Mukansanga achieved her own when becoming the first female fourth official at a men\u2019s World Cup in France\u2019s 4-1 defeat of Australia, prior to handling three more games, two of which included Tunisia. <\/span><\/p>\n

Having been the first woman to referee a men\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations clash in January, the 34-year-old\u2019s elevation provides yet further inspiration for the next generation of Africa officials, with Fifa saying it is selecting the best referees regardless of gender.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means you\u2019re going to open the doors for other women, especially in Africa,\u2019 said Mukansanga. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe opportunities are there \u2013 it\u2019s up to us to take them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Africa is slaying giants again<\/h3>\n
\"Vincent<\/span><\/span>
Vincent Aboubakar exited Qatar in sensational style scoring the goal that beat Brazil before ruefully smiling at his red card for taking his shirt off in celebration<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Africa is no stranger to sinking defending champions, with Cameroon and Senegal beating Argentina and France in 1990 and 2002 respectively, but it had been some 20 years since such a feat. <\/span><\/p>\n

On this occasion, Tunisia ensured their early elimination finished on a high after stunning a weakened French side thanks to veteran <\/span>Wabhi Khazri\u2019s strike. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we are disappointed to be going out \u2013 because we didn\u2019t do enough in the first two matches \u2013 but we have made the Tunisian people proud,\u201d the Tunisia captain said afterwards. <\/span><\/p>\n

This seismic shock was soon followed by another as Cameroon became the first African side to ever <\/span>beat five-time champions,<\/span> and tournament favourites, Brazil at the World Cup. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vincent Aboubakar\u2019s 93rd-minute goal was not enough to keep the Indomitable Lions in Qatar, as with the Tunisians, but he delivered a weighty punch about the state of the African game.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t even realise it was such a historic victory,\u201d admitted coach Rigobert Song. \u201cMy players should be congratulated and they\u2019ve shown they could have done better. We are going to keep working to improve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Home support\u2019 in the Middle East<\/h3>\n
\"Morocco<\/span><\/span>
Moroccan fans hold up a replica of the World Cup during their historic Qatar 2022 campaign<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The continent\u2019s North African teams enjoyed massive support in Qatar, where there are sizeable Moroccan and Tunisian communities already, with <\/span>the fans making a real difference<\/span> to their team\u2019s fortunes. <\/span><\/p>\n

After Tunisia\u2019s opening game \u2013 a hard-fought and gutsy 0-0 draw with Denmark \u2013 coach Jalel Kadri was appreciative of the tumultuous backing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fan factor was very positive for us, it mentally gave us a great lift,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, it was ultimately Morocco\u2019s supporters who made the biggest impression and who were, behind champions Argentina\u2019s legions of fans, the second-best followed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tens of thousands joyously descended on Qatar as the Atlas Lions roamed further in the World Cup than any African or Arab side before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a night I\u2019m going to tell my children and grandchildren about,\u201d supporter Soufiane Megrini, who had just witnessed the quarter-final win over Portugal, <\/span>told the BBC. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ghana recruitment yet to bear fruit <\/h3>\n
\"Mohamed<\/span><\/span>
New Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu scores in the Black Stars\u2019 3-2 win over South Korea, the 2010 quarter-finalists\u2019 sole win in Qatar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ghana squeaked into the tournament with an away goals win over Nigeria in the World Cup play-offs but it was clear they needed more quality ahead of the World Cup itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

So alongside technical director Chris Hughton, they set about <\/span>persuading players with Ghana heritage<\/span> to join the project \u2013 with defenders Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey and forward Inaki Williams among those coming in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recruiting players with dual nationality after World Cup qualification itself raised questions in Ghana both before and after the finals, especially with the Black Stars exiting in the group stages \u2013 even if they did at least gain revenge on their 2010 foes when helping <\/span>knock out Uruguay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFootball is beautiful, sometimes it is ugly \u2013 it was ugly for us today,\u201d said coach Otto Addo after the costly loss. \u201cI\u2019m very sure we will learn from this.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Yet Addo soon resigned, leaving behind a World Cup squad built for the future with 12 players aged 23 or under \u2013 including Brighton and Hove Albion\u2019s Tariq Lamptey and Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo. <\/span><\/p>\n

There is none finer however than one of Africa\u2019s outstanding youngsters \u2013 Mohammed Kudus, 22 \u2013 with the attacking midfielder\u2019s class shining through and resulting in two goals in <\/span>Ghana\u2019s solitary win.<\/span><\/p>\n

African champions\u2019 costly lack of depth <\/h3>\n
\"Senegalese<\/span><\/span>
Senegal celebrate Ismaila Sarr\u2019s penalty strike against Ecuador<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Senegal were dealt a massive blow when star striker Sadio Mane \u2013 named the <\/span>world\u2019s second-best<\/span> footballer two months ago \u2013 had to withdraw on the eve of the finals <\/span>through injury. <\/span><\/p>\n

It handcuffed Aliou Cisse\u2019s carefully-laid plans, since the coach clearly had no replacement anywhere near the same level \u2013 despite the best efforts of Ismaila Sarr, who scored twice, Bouna Dia and Iliman Ndiaye, who is one to watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final group game win over Ecuador secured a second knockout appearance twenty years after their first but without suspended Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, the Teranga Lions struggled to contain England and crashed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn all countries in Africa, there is a real sports policy in place,\u201d said Cisse after the Round of 16 exit. \u201cWe have to keep that up if we want to win these tournaments.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Having gone further than ever, the continental confidence collected in Qatar has prompted Morocco\u2019s inspirational coach Walid Regragui to say a first African title is <\/span>less than two decades<\/span> away. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Youssef En-Nesyri has now scored three World Cup goals, more than any other Moroccan After a slow start to Qatar 2022, Africa\u2019s five representatives delivered the continent\u2019s finest World Cup in history. A record seven wins in the group stage \u2013 with all five sides winning at least one game \u2013 was enough to propel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1267640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1267639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-africa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1267639","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1267639"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1267639\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1267639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1267639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1267639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}