A MASSIVE continent filled with glittering football talent, but yet to get their hands on the biggest prize in the sport. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will have five representatives at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, all looking to make an impact.

Senegal are the team backed to progress deepest in the tournament, however they aren’t the only ones with a genuine shot at glory.

Lyle-Anthony Golding puts the best of Africa under the microscope…

SENEGAL

Best World Cup result: quarter finals (2002)

Current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holders and the highest ranked African nation by FIFA going into the tournament, there’s a reason they stand out as Africa’s best bet. Admittedly, they had a disappointing 2018 campaign, bowing out at the group stages after the fairplay rule saw them finish third in their group.

They will hope this year is different and can bank on their stellar defensive record. Senegal conceded just three goals through the entirety of AFCON 2022 and with Chelsea duo Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy anchoring the backline, we could see more of the same.

They kick off their tournament against the Netherlands, who will be their toughest opponent, and a positive result could be the catalyst for a great tournament from the Lions of Teranga.

Player to watch: Ismaila Sarr

In the likely absence of their best player, Sadio Mane due to injury, keep your eyes firmly fixed on Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

The 24-year-old will have to carry a much heavier load on the Senegalese frontline, which could be his platform for a sparkling tournament. With ten goals and assists so far this season, Sarr will look to make good on his huge potential in Qatar.

Tournament prediction: Quarter finals

MOROCCO

Best result: Round of 16 (1986)

Morocco are ranked in the top 25 by FIFA and enter the tournament off the back of a quarter-final exit in AFCON 2022. Their free-flowing attacking football saw them finish joint top scorers in World Cup qualifying with 24 goals.

Unfortunately for the Atlas Lions, they were drawn in an exceedingly difficult group. They face Belgium, Canada, and beaten finalists from 2018 – Croatia – and it will be a tough task to advance to the knockouts.

Player to watch: Achraf Hakimi

Morocco will look to set up with a fluid attacking style, and Hakimi looks primed for a fantastic tournament. He’s established himself as one of the best full-backs in world football, and with Noussair Mazraoui attracting attention on the opposite flank, look for Hakimi to be Morocco’s chance creation hub.

Tournament prediction: Group stage exit

TUNISIA

Best result: Group stage (2018)

Tunisia will be rigid and hard to beat under manager Jalel Kadri. They line up likely as underdogs in all but one of their group games and will have to bank on their stellar defensive record if they are to have any chances of advancing in Qatar. In Kadri’s first seven games, Tunisia were airtight, not letting a single goal in despite playing the likes of Japan and Chile.

Player to watch: Ellyes Skhiri

Ellyes Skhiri is an industrious holding midfielder, known for his seemingly boundless lungs and love for a tackle. For context, he currently sits second for distance covered in the Bundesliga this season, only bettered by Joshua Kimmich.

Skhiri also serves as the base for Tunisia’s possession and attacking play from central midfield. The FC Köln midfielder often operates from deep when Tunisia are in possession, and his passing range is vital to Tunisia’s ability to play out from the back.

If they are to advance, it will require their linchpin to be on his A-game.

Tournament prediction: Group stage exit

GHANA

Best result: Quarter Finals (2010)

Ghana come into Qatar as the lowest-ranked team of all participants at 61st. The Black Stars failed to advance past the group stages of AFCON and it served as a wake-up call. They will however be buoyed by the recent additions of Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams to their World Cup squad.

Portugal are the clear favourites in group H and Ghana will likely battle it out for second place with South Korea and old foes Uruguay.

Player to watch: Mohammed Kudus

You’d be remiss not to mention Thomas Partey here. Arsenal have been imperious in 2022/23, and Partey has been at the heart of it all, undoubtedly one of their best players.

All eyes, however, should be firmly fixed on Kudus. The Ajax starlet lit up the Champions League this season with seven goals/assists in six games and has replicated that form throughout his early international career. Expect the 22-year-old to pop up all over the pitch for Ghana and be a massive goal threat.

Tournament prediction: Round of 16

CAMEROON

Best result: Quarter Finals (1990)

Cameroon have arguably the toughest draw of all African nations at this world cup. They must face world number 1 Brazil, Serbia, and Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Switzerland. The Indomitable Lions will face an uphill battle, but enter the World Cup in exceptional form.

They scored the most goals in AFCON 2022 with 14, five more than Senegal, while ranking in the top three for possession. Despite their third-place finish in the competition, they earned rave reviews for their performances. Maher Mezahi of The Athletic called Cameroon AFCON’s most complete team, hailing their captain Vincent Aboubakar as the continent’s best marksman.

Player to watch: Karl Toko Ekambi

Toko Ekambi is a dynamic winger who combines his exceptional dribbling with a keen eye for goal. He was exceptional at AFCON 2022 netting 5 goals, second only to Aboubakar.

With much of opponents’ focus expected to be on Aboubakar, look to Toko Ekambi to be a livewire for Cameroon and to complement his skipper well.

Tournament prediction: Group stage exit