QATAR 2022: North Africans dominate as Tunisia, Algeria get advantage in Playoffs

Coming off disappointing Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Algeria and Tunisia rose from the ashes to hold massive advantages into the second leg following 1-0 wins over Cameroon and Mali in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoffs.

Cameroon dominated proceedings from the onset and came close to breaking the deadlock six minutes into the game when Al Nassr forward Vincent Aboubakar slalomed into the Algeria box but his brilliant footwork was let down by a shot that drifted wide off the mark.

The feisty start to the game showed no signs of abating as Islam Slimani who now plies his trade in Sporting CP pickpocketed Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and had a break towards goal but his ferocious shot was saved by Andre Onana who had suffered a grizzly road accident days to the clash.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes from the half time whistle when Youcef Belaili whipped in a pin point cross onto the head of Islam Slimani with his powerful header proving too much for Onana whose best efforts to tip the ball over could not stop the ball from going in.

In the opening stages of the second half, power outage on one part of the stadium caused a four minute delay with the game back on after power was restored.

The closing stages of the game saw chances few and far between as the two goalkeepers were reduced to routine saves as Algeria withered the storm of an 11 minute added time to hold on for a massive advantage heading into second leg.

Mali 0-1 Tunisia

In a match that is best remembered for Janny Sikazwe's refereeing howler, 36 minutes were needed to break the deadlock when Moussa Sissako suffered a defender's nightmare when he turned the ball into his own net.

Things went from bad to worse for Moussa Sissako as he was sent for an early shower for a last man tackle with Mali suffering a double whammy but Tunisia held on for the win to have one foot in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.