Senegal and Ghana made Africans proud as the Black Stars and Lions of Teranga defeated their counterparts in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Qatar and became the first two African countries to have a victory-win in the tournament. 

THE GLORY OF SENEGAL RESTORED

The Lions of Teranga played their first match against Netherlands on Monday November 21 but lost to Netherlands by two goals to nil.

However, the glory of the Teranga Lions was restored after their 3-1 victory against host country Qatar at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha on Friday November 25, after a defensive error gave the African champions a lead.

At the sound of whistle by the referee, Qatar started the game as the Teranga Lions won the coin toss with both teams backing off each during the first couple of minutes. Four minutes into the match the African champions began to press, as Senegal’s Ismalia Sarr played a nice cut from the right hand and blasted it into the side netting.

In the 35th minute of the match, Qatar appealed for a penalty after Akram Afif was bundled over in a box by Ismalia Sarr, but was ignored. Senegal’s striker Boulaye Dia drilled in their first goal in the 40th minute after Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi tried to make a defensive error and landed on his backside.

Famara Diedhiou made it 2-0 a few minutes into the second half of the game with a header from a corner, after Abdelkarim tried to stop a cross in the box.

Almoez Ali made efforts to register Qatar’s first shot on target but Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the ball. However, Qatar substitute Mohammed Muntari pulled back in the 78th minute with an historic first goal which gave the Asian champions a glimmer of hope and made it 2-1. 

Qatar’s unlikely comeback lasted for just six minutes as Ahmadou Dieng restored Senegal’s two-goal lead in the 84th minute.

Senegal became the first African side to beat the host nation at a World Cup while Qatar makes history to become the first host nation to lose two matches in a single round of an edition of the World Cup.

GHANA BEATS SOUTH KOREA

Looking at Ghana’s win after defeating South Korea 3-2 in a thrilling match to revive their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup at Doha’s Education City Stadium on Monday November 28, it was the first time in the history of FIFA World Cup that a team like Ghana has been able to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament according to the team’s coach. 

The Black Stars edged out South Korea to 2-0 lead at the first half of the game led by Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus.

South Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung scored with two stunning headers in a three minute spell, which placed parity in the game after 61 minutes.

However in the 68th minute, Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, who had headed in Jordan Ayew’s cross in the first half, added a final twist when he blasted in a third goal for Ghana to defeat their counterparts.

More chances fell through in South Korea’s way, as they looked for another equaliser but Ghana had the last laugh.