Can African teams power past quarterfinal threshold in 2022 World Cup?

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Time will tell if an African national team can finally break the glass ceiling in this year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

African trio Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana did their best for their continent in past World Cups, tantalizingly reaching as high as the quarterfinals.

In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Cameroon won Group B, where they met 1986 champions Argentina, as well as Romania and the then-Soviet Union.

Then Roger Milla-led Cameroon beat Colombia 2-1 in the Round of 16, but England halted it 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

Cameroon made their World Cup debut in 1982 and have made it to the top football contest eight times, including Qatar 2022.

In the 2022 World Cup Group G, Cameroon will face record holders Brazil, as well as Serbia and Switzerland to seek a last 16 ticket.

The winter World Cup will begin on Sunday in the Gulf state of Qatar.

- Senegal reach last 8 in 2022 World Cup debut

Senegal was another African nation to make the World Cup quarterfinals.

The Lions of Teranga had a big impact at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan as they reached the last eight in their first-ever World Cup tournament.

Senegal were the runners-up in the 2002 World Cup Group A, stunning 1998 winners France 1-0 in the opening match of the competition.

Then Senegal drew with group winners Denmark 1-1 and Uruguay 3-3 to clinch a berth in the last 16.

Senegal advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Sweden.

Türkiye, who were among the 2002 World Cup dark horses, eliminated Senegal 1-0 on a golden goal rule, previously a type of sudden death in football matches.

Extra-time striker Ilhan Mansiz scored for Türkiye to send the European team to the World Cup semifinals. It was among the memorable golden goals in the competition.

Then Türkiye came in third in South Korea and Japan 2002.

According to the golden goal rule, whomever scored the first goal in extra time won the match.

Following the 2002 World Cup, FIFA ditched the golden goal rule.

Senegal have three World Cup appearances. They were previously eliminated in the 2018 World Cup group.

In Qatar 2022, Senegal are in Group A with three-time silver medalists the Netherlands, host nation Qatar, and Ecuador.

- Dramatically eliminated, Ghana shut out of 2010 semis

Ghana, one of Africa’s leading football teams, ended their 2010 World Cup group in second spot to reserve their place in the last 16 in South Africa.

Germany won that group.

Ghana beat Serbia 1-0, then drew with Australia 1-1 to bag four points.

The Black Stars lost to Germany 1-0 in their third match, but the West African nation reached the last 16.

Ghana beat the US 2-1 in the round of 16, but the Black Stars were dramatically eliminated by Uruguay in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

On the goal line, Uruguay star Luis Suarez blocked the ball with his hand on purpose to avoid Ghana's goal in extra time. The match was locked at 1-1.

Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball. His "Hand of God" is still one of the most memorable World Cup moments.

Ghanaian star Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty kick, hitting the crossbar to encourage a 10-man Uruguay, which advanced to the semifinals.

Then Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties to progress in South Africa.

Ghana qualified for the World Cup finals four times, including Qatar 2022.

They made their debut at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

In Qatar, the Black Stars are in Group H to play against Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.

- Gyan still top African goal scorer in World Cup history

Former Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan is still Africa's all-time highest goal scorer in World Cup history, with six goals in 11 games.

The 36-year-old represented Ghana in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

During his career, he scored 51 goals in 107 appearances for his native Ghana.

Gyan retired from international football in 2019.

Cameroon's legendary forward Roger Milla had five goals in 10 World Cup appearances to come second in this field.

Milla, who was the oldest player to score a World Cup goal in June 1994, retired from the game in 1996.

In the 1994 US World Cup, Milla was 42 years and 39 days old when he put the ball into Russia's net, but Cameroon lost the match 6-1.

Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa, 30, scored four goals for his nation in the 2014 and 2018 World Cup tournaments.

But Nigeria, who had six World Cup appearances in total, will not play in Qatar.

Nigeria last appeared in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but the Super Eagles were eliminated in the group stage in the previous World Cup.