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A look at the players set to make their countries and Africa proud at the football fiesta in Qatar.
With less than 14 days to the highly-anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup slated for Qatar, football fans and followers are ready to watch 32 of the best nations go head-to-head for the ultimate prize.
Five countries, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and two North African giants - Tunisia and Morocco will represent Africa at the football showpiece.
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Some players from these African nations have been in fine form for their respective clubs. But who will stand out once the World Cup gets underway?
Here are 10 African players, two from each representative, to watch out for at the 32nd FIFA World Cup.
Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly - Senegal
Four years after Senegal exited the world cup in Russia at the group stages, the West African country returns to the competition as African champions.
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Having been eliminated at the previous tournament on technicalities, the Teranga Lions will be looking to go a step better in Qatar this time when they go head-to-head in Group A against the host, Qatar, Ecuador and European giant, the Netherlands.
Key to the Lions in the oil-rich Qatar will be Sadio Mane and skipper Kalidou Koulibaly. Both superstars made transfer moves in the summer, Mane joined Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich while Koulibaly sealed a move to English club, Chelsea.
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Mohamed Kudus and Thomas Partey - Ghana
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What started as a disappointment after Ghana was knocked out of the AFCON 2021 at the group stage quickly ended in praise as Otto Addo brought smiles back to Ghanaians.
The Black Stars overcame rivals the Super Eagles of Nigeria against all odds to pick the all-important ticket to the biggest football fiesta.
Two players who played key roles in that run and will be important for the Black Stars in Qatar are Mohamed Kudus and Thomas Partey.
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22-year-old Ajax star, Kudus, has been in superb form for his Dutch side, scoring nine goals in nine starts in the Champions League and Eredivisie this season.
For Thomas Partey, he scored the decisive goal that gave the Black Stars the World Cup ticket and has been one of the key players for Arsenal, helping the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Andre-Frank Zambo - Cameroon
Cameroon is another African country going to the World Cup with a former player, Rigobet Song, as the manager.
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After missing out on the 2018 party in Russia, the Indomitable Lions are back and looking to go as far as possible in the 2022 edition.
While the West African football giant has a couple of players to call on, two stand out at the moment heading into Qatar - Choupo-Moting and Zambo.
Choupo-Moting is proving to be an invaluable asset for club and country at the age of 33.
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The veteran forward is currently in the best form of his career at Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich.
He has scored nine goals and assisted three more in his last seven matches, a form that will surely make any national team coach grin.
Choupo-Moting is one of the most experienced winners for how country heading into the world cup in Qatar, and in his current form, his coach, Song will be hoping he can maintain that form when they assemble with the rest of the world in Qatar.
Another Cameroonian to watch out for his Napoli midfielder, Andre-Frank Anguissa, who has been a revelation this season for the Italian side.
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The 26-year-old Anguissa has proved invaluable at both ends of the pitch this season for the Serie A leaders, scoring three goals and assisting five more from his midfield position in the league and Champions League.
Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou - Morocco
Morocco finds itself drawn in Group F alongside European superpowers like Belgium and Croatia alongside North Americans, Canada.
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The Atlas Lions remain one of Africa's football powerhouses and will be looking to do well in Qatar under manager, Walid Regragui, the Wydad Casablanca hero.
While the task ahead for Regragui and his Lions is a daunting one, they can look to two superstars in Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou for inspiration as they look to navigate their way out of a tough group in Qatar.
Regarded as one of the best full backs in the world, Hakimi is one player to watch out for at the World Cup for Morocco.
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The prodigiously talented PSG man is the most expensive defender in Ligue 1 history and will head into the World Cup looking to showcase his immense attacking talents from that right side.
The other Moroccan to keep an eye on at the global event is goalkeeper, Bounou. Voted the best goalkeeper last season in the LaLiga, the Sevilla goalkeeper has been a bulwark in between the sticks for club and country.
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Comfortable with his legs and hands, the 31-year-old made his debut at the last World Cup in Russia and will once again look to lead the Atlas Lions from the back. Morocco will need him.
Wahbi Khazri and Ellyes Skhiri - Tunisia
Making a sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup is the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, another powerhouse from North Africa.
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The Carthage Eagles will go into the tournament in Qatar with Jalel Kadri in charge. He will be the fourth Tunisian to lead nation to the global showpiece.
However, drawn in Group D, Kadri and his Eagles have it all to do against defending champions, France, Denmark and Australia.
Tunisia will look to skipper and veteran star Wahbi Khazri and Bundesliga-based midfielder, Ellyes Skhiri for leadership and inspiration to ensure they make their marks in Qatar.
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Khazri, at 31, will once again lead his country to another international competition. He has scored 22 goals in 51 appearances.
In midfield, Tunisia can look up to 25-year-old Koln superstar, Skhiri. The Central midfield, who is renowned for his ability on ball, awareness and tackling, is another player who can inspire the Carthage.
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With 38 appearances, his has the necessary experience to take on some of the best talents he will encounter in Group D.
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