Fairy tale stories we have seen at the Qatar 2022 World Cup since it kickstarted on Sunday with Saudi Arabia and Japan handing a knockout to two of the tournament favourites, Argentina and Germany.
But the fairy tales are yet to reach Africa, as all 5 representatives of the continent have tasted action after the first round of matches have been played.
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It has not gone well for the Africans so far in the tournament as they have only earned 2 points from 5 games played with Ghana's Andrew Ayew and Osman Bukari registering their names on the scoresheet.
Senegal suffered a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands, Cameroon fell to Switzerland narrowly by a lone goal, while Tunisia and Morocco forced Denmark and Croatia to a goalless draw.
After the first round of matches, the chances of an African team reaching the round of 16 remains very slim, but there is still a long way to go.
The next phase
The next round of matches for all 5 African teams will prove very instrumental to their progression in the tournament. The teams will have to get not just goals but wins in the next phase of fixtures.
Bet on FIFA World Cup with BetkingLions need to roar
The Teranga Lions of Senegal did suffer another injury blow in the game against the Netherlands with Cheikhou Kouyate joining star man Sadio Mané in the treatment room. The midfielder was energetic in the middle of the park for the team, but they will now have to play the rest of the tournament without him.
But Aliou Cisse still has enough arsenal to kill off the next opponents, Qatar. A win gives them the chance to fight for a spot in the round of 16.
While the Teranga Lions are getting their squad together, another lion in the Atlas Lions of Morocco will be building on the performance against Croatia.
The Moroccans did steal a point against the Croatians but will have to do more when they face the Red Devils of Belgium in their next game on Sunday.
Morocco against Denmark
A more clinical attack and same defensive performance against the Belgians might just see the North Africans steal all three points in the game.
For The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, they will also need to be more clinical in front of goal as they had their moments against Switzerland but could not take them.
Bet on FIFA World Cup with BetkingCameron at the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Rigobert Song's men however have tough fixtures ahead in Brazil and Serbia and the team will learn to be more concentrated until the final whistle is heard.
Cameroon's loss to Switzerland means Samuel Eto'o's prediction of the team winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup is taking a tougher route.
The Eagles need to spread their wings
Tunisia displayed a surprise performance against Denmark. They ended with a point after seeing out a goalless draw to put themselves in competition in the group. They however need to do more to win their third game in World Cup history and earn a spot in the round of 16 as they face Australia next then world champions France.
They however need to do more to win their third game in World Cup history and earn a spot in the round of 16 as they face Australia next then world champions France.
Bet on FIFA World Cup with BetkingBlack Stars can shine bright
The Black Stars became the first African team to score in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Otto Ado's men took the game to the Portuguese and almost stole a point from the Europeans. The 3-2 loss will however boost their confidence going into the next games of the group - Uruguay and Korean Republic. With the attacking powerless of the Ghanaians, they do stand a chance to qualify for the round of 16 if they can be more deadly in front of goal.
Things might not be going smoothly for Africa on the pitch but off it, the continent is well represented. The fans of all 5 countries have turned up for their country on every match day. Their voices and drums were loudly heard around Qatar and their attire seen all over the world and they will need more of that to cheer their teams to victories. Let's take a look at one of the most colorful outfits at Qatar 2022.
