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DOHA. — After a slow start to Qatar 2022, Africa’s five representatives delivered the continent’s finest FIFA World Cup in history.
A record seven wins in the group stage — with all five sides winning at least one game — was enough to propel two teams, Morocco and African champions Senegal, to the knock-out phase for only the second time, and first since 2014. 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.
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.
“I’m delighted with the standard of African football because for many decades now, we’ve been talking about the development of African football and when their time will come — I think their time has come,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
So what exactly did the continent
learn from Qatar 2022?
‘THE MIRACLE OF MOROCCO’
It was the African story of the World Cup — 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.
Appointed in August, Coach Walid Regragui recalled outcasts, brought in youngsters and nurtured a spirit that made the Atlas Lions one of the top four teams in the world.
“We are much more of a family, more of a club side than a national team,” said Regragui. “I think that’s what’s given us this great strength.”
“The whole world is proud of this Moroccan team. We showed desire, played hard and have given a good image of Morocco and African football.”
Prior to Morocco’s sensational run, Africa — which officially finished fourth — had never gone past the quarter-finals, with only Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) having reached that stage before.
DOOR EVER WIDER FOR FEMALE OFFICIALS
For the first time in World Cup history, three women were among the 36 selected for the elite group of referees with three more acting as assistant referees.
Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, Stephanie Frappart of France and Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita were the refereeing trailblazers, even if only Frappart made history when officiating a game in Qatar from the middle.
Nonetheless, Mukansanga achieved her own piece of history when becoming the first female fourth official at a men’s World Cup in France’s 4-1 defeat of Australia, prior to handling three more games, two of which included Tunisia.
Having been the first woman to referee a men’s Africa Cup of Nations clash in January, the 34-year-old’s elevation provides yet further inspiration for the next generation of African officials, with FIFA saying it is selecting the best referees regardless of gender.
“It means you’re going to open the doors for other women, especially in Africa,” said Mukansanga. “The opportunities are there — it’s up to us to take them.”
AFRICA IS SLAYING GIANTS AGAIN
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.
On this occasion, Tunisia ensured their early elimination finished on a high after stunning a weakened French side thanks to veteran Wabhi Khazri’s strike.
“Of course we are disappointed to be going out – because we didn’t do enough in the first two matches – but we have made the Tunisian people proud,” the Tunisia captain said afterwards. This seismic shock was soon followed by another as Cameroon became the first African side to ever beat five-time champions, and tournament favourites, Brazil at the World Cup. Vincent Aboubakar’s 93rd-minute goal was not enough to keep the Indomitable Lions in Qatar, as with the Tunisians, s exiting in the group stages — even if they did at least gain revenge on their 2010 foes when helping knock out Uruguay. — BBC Sport Africa
Online Reporter