FOOTBALL Among African teams, only Ghana managed to score a goal in the first game of the group stages of the World Cup in Qatar
Senegalese Krepin Diatta frustrated after his team lost to the Netherlands in their first match of this 2022 World Cup. — Florencia Tan Jun/SPP/Sipa USA < ul>
433 minutes. It will therefore have taken 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 the equalization of Ghana 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 to lose 3 goals. 2 against Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates.
This Ghana’s defeat came on top of the those of Senegal against the Netherlands (0-2) and Cameroon against; Switzerland (1-0), and the draws of Morocco against Croatia (0-0) and Tunisia against; in 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 Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly in L’Equipe a few days ago. We are used to play in the middle of the season for the CAN, with little preparation. » Failed, so far.”
“A feeling of unfinished”
“It leaves me feeling unfinished, I’m a bit frustrated. Morocco and Tunisia still draw, Senegal faced the Netherlands, Ghana score but lose which is even more frustrating. These teams really could do better,”said Ricardo Faty, a former Senegalese international who assisted in the game. to three of the five matches of the 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 mostly feel that these teams don’t want to concede a goal first. 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, fired; big tactical notions from their experience in Europe, and tactics take over on the side. technique”.
“Risk-taking, and a touch of madness””
The former past player by AS Roma also draws a parallel with the “more and more numerous players in Europe”, who are gradually abandoning their “grain of technical madness”, to this tactical rigor. The poor form of some, like Hakim Ziyech with Morocco, or the absence of others like Sadio Man’, can also explain these more than purring beginnings. “What I blame for African selections is exactly what Sadio Mané in Senegal. A 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 plays Senegal against the host country, Qatar, for its second match of the competition, the former international remains hopeful. “I just hope it was up to you. cause of the first game, and the need to acclimate to the event. For many players, this is their first World Cup. I’m really hopeful for the next two games Morocco, Senegal and Ghana there is room to take points and qualify”.
Before one last bit of advice from Tonton Ricardo: “ They have to do what we saw Ghana against Portugal, be less timorous, let go and not be afraid to miss. They have to take risks, as we are used to seeing these players dribbling in the league, breaking loose to gain confidence.” For him, the World Cup for African teams 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 must win.