World Cup 2022: predictions from former coaches
The five African selections qualified for the World Cup (Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia) were really not spoiled by the draw, even if the case of Senegal seems a little less complicated, despite the withdrawal of Sadio Mane. SNA asked Ali Fergani, Pathé Diallo and Pierre Lechantre to find out their predictions.
Pathé Diallo (former international and coach of Mali)
“ As with every edition of the World Cup, it is to be expected that a big team will be crowned world champion. The main contenders for me are Brazil, France and Argentina. There is also Spain, Germany, and why not Portugal. Even if it seems less strong to me than in 2018, Belgium can have ambition. For several players of this fine generation of Belgian football, this is the last opportunity to shine in this tournament. Croatia is aging, but it can go far enough. Switzerland too, because it is a team that has experience of major tournaments.
For the African selections , it is to be expected that it will be very complicated. Samuel Eto’o is talking about a Cameroon-Morocco final, I ‘m already thinking about the second round, and who can qualify? They have every chance, but we have to admit that all of them will have to be very strong. Senegal lost Sadio Mané, and without him the team is less strong, although they can qualify because they didn’t fall in the toughest group. Morocco, Tunisia and Ghana will face teams that can claim the title, such as France, Brazil or Belgium. As an African, I hope that as many teams as possible will pass the first round . »
Pierre Lechantre (former coach of Cameroon, Mali and Congo)
“ I find that Samuel Eto’o puts too much pressure on his team by announcing that they are going to be world champions. I don’t know why he says that, because no one is unaware that current Cameroon certainly has good players, including Onana, Zambo-Anguissa, Toko Ekambi, Aboubakar or Choupo-Moting, but that there are many others much stronger selections than the Indomitable Lions: Brazil, France, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Uruguay.
And in the Cameroon group, there are also Serbia and Switzerland, which are very good teams. It will be very difficult for Tunisia and Ghana. Even without Sadio Mané, Senegal can qualify for the second round. I also want to put a coin on Morocco, which can overtake Croatia and Canada. Personally, I give you a France-Brazil final. We say a lot of things about France, in relation to the injured, the atmosphere in the federation, the last bad results. Me, I tend to believe that it is rather a good thing: France is never as strong as when it is said to be in difficulty
