Sadio Mane v Mohamed Salah II, Nigeria-Ghana rivalry renewed, Dark Horses clash: Africa's World Cup playoffs

Mere months after new kings of the continent were crowned at the Africa Cup of Nations, Africa’s top sides are now focusing on the World Cup. The qualification process reaches its climax this week the five African representatives in Qatar will be decided following the final round of two-legged playoffs.

Ad/> The previous round saw 40 nations divided into 10 groups of four with the 10 table-toppers advancing to the next stage. These teams being Algeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia.

Premier LeagueKlopp: 'Tough cookie' Salah likely to be fit to face Arsenal15/03/2022 AT 13:15 Curiously, or perhaps typically when it comes to things of this nature in African football, the draw for the playoffs was made during this January’s AFCON, perhaps somewhat distracting from the tournament as it was going on. Nevertheless, the draw threw up some tantalising encounters to decide which of Africa’s top sides will be at the World Cup this winter.

Egypt v Senegal A rematch of the AFCON final just a matter of weeks earlier after Sadio Mane slammed home the winning penalty in the shootout to give Senegal their first African title at the expense of Egypt and his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. Although considered worthy winners over the course of the competition, Senegal found it very difficult to break down a very resolute Egypt side who will be confident of frustrating their opponents again over two legs.

Pharaohs boss Carlos Queiroz will shrug off any criticism of his team’s conservative style of play should they advance, and will be counting on a determined Salah to make the difference. Extra incentive for Salah will come from the fact that injury impacted his and Egypt’s 2018 campaign,