433 minutes. It will therefore have been necessary to wait no less than 433 minutes to see an African team score a goal in this 2022 World Cup, by former Olympian André Ayew, author of Ghana’s equalizer against Portugal on Thursday (73rd). Then a second from Osman Bukari at the very end of the match (89th), which did not prevent the Ghanaians from losing 3 goals to 2 against Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates.
This defeat for Ghana came on top of those of Senegal against the Netherlands (0-2) and Cameroon against Switzerland (1-0), and Morocco’s draws against Croatia (0-0) and Tunisia against Denmark (0-0), for a total of two points and two goals scored. A very complicated first day for the African selections, far from the stated ambitions. “We have an advantage this time, said the Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly in The Team a few days ago. We are used to playing in the middle of the season for the CAN, with little preparation. Failed, for now.
“A feeling of incompleteness”
“It leaves me feeling unfinished, I’m a little frustrated. Morocco and Tunisia still draw, Senegal faced the Netherlands, Ghana scores but loses, which is even more frustrating. These teams could really do better, ”said Ricardo Faty, a former Senegalese international who attended three of the five matches of African nations.
This lack of offensive realism, and therefore indirectly of points in this group stage, can be explained by the evolution of African football, as Ricardo Faty advances.
“I especially have the impression that these teams do not want to concede a goal before anything else. There is a tactical rigor that is put in place. If I take the example of Senegal, which I know well, Aliou Cissé, their coach, is someone very pragmatic, with a team that is more waiting. Even if there are local coaches in the selections, some of them like Aliou Cissé or Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco, have drawn great tactical notions from their experience in Europe, and tactics take over the technical side.
“Risk-taking, and a touch of madness”
The former player who passed through AS Roma also draws this parallel with the “more and more numerous players in Europe”, and who are gradually abandoning their “touch of technical madness” for this tactical rigor. The poor form of some, like Hakim Ziyech with Morocco, or the absence of others like Sadio Mané, can also explain these more than purring beginnings. “What I blame for African selections is exactly what Sadio Mané brings to Senegal. The link between defense and attack, with risk taking, ”considers Ricardo Faty.
But when getting out of his taxi to reach the Al-Thumama stadium where Senegal is playing against the host country, Qatar, for its second match of the competition, the former international remains hopeful. “I just hope it was because of the first game, and the need to acclimate to the event. For many players, this is their first World Cup. I am really hopeful for the next two matches of Morocco, Senegal and Ghana, there is room to take points and qualify”.
Before a last bit of advice from Tonton Ricardo: “They must do what we saw in Ghana against Portugal, be less timid, let go and not be afraid of missing out. They have to take risks, as we are used to seeing these players dribbling in the league, unleashing themselves to gain confidence. “For him, the World Cup of African selections really begins this Friday afternoon with Senegal against Qatar (2 p.m.). Given the performance of the host country in its opening match, this time it’s a mandatory victory.