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During this World Cup 2022, much was expected but they disappointed. Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon), Krépin Diatta (Senegal), Iñiaki Williams (Ghana), Andre Ayew (Ghana) and Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) were transparent in Qatar.
1. Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon)
If Cameroon was able to take part in its 8th World Cup, it was thanks to Karl Toko Ekambi. The Lyon winger scored the miraculous goal in Blida at the end of extra time of the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs, eliminating Algeria in its once impregnable citadel. But Toko forgot to come to Qatar. Or at least, it is his ghost who made the trip with the Cameroon team. The twirling player, author of five goals earlier this year at the CAN, was invisible throughout the tournament. When he showed up in the first game against Switzerland, it was a missed opportunity. Rigobert Song decided to take him out of the team in the last group match.
2. Krépin Diatta (Senegal), completely in the West
Some people went so far as to rejoice in his absence from the CAN because of a bad knee injury. It is certainly petty. But it shows how bad Krépin Diatta was during this World Cup 2022. He was used as a right back in the first two games of Senegal, but the player from Monaco showed absolutely nothing. It is when he was on the bench that Senegal made its best sequences. Aliou Cissé, however, persisted in bringing him back into the ”Eleven” in the eighth final against England, perhaps believing that his protégé would have a surge of pride. It was another bad idea. Krépin Diatta misses again. His adventure in the Middle East is to be forgotten. Because he was completely out of his depth.
3. Iñaki Williams (Ghana), at the wrong time
Iñaki Williams has put Ghana in the wind several times in the past. The Athletic Bilbao striker has for a long time openly said that he felt Spanish and preferred not to be international if Roja did not call him. But this year he finally gave in to the many demands of his parents’ country. He became a Black Star at the age of 28, in September. Otto Addo selected him for the 2022 World Cup. All Ghana hopes to finally find in him the successor of Asamoah Gyan, who since his international retirement, has left a void on the front of the Ghanaian attack. But Inaki Williams was far from being connected with his partners. Qatar will remain for him a crossing of the desert. He ran a lot in the void, and was never found in the right area.
4. Andre Ayew (Ghana), a costly failure
Andre Ayew has been Ghana’s true guide for the past decade. The son of the legendary Abedi Pele, he took his country to the final of the 2015 CAN. But in Qatar for what could be his last international competition, he led the Black Stars to the bottom. While the Ghanaians could have advanced to the round of 16 with a draw on the final day against Uruguay, the former OM player failed to put his team on the road to success by missing a first-half penalty. Behind, Ghana is eaten 2-0 by Uruguay. He, the only survivor of the mythical quarter-final in 2010 against the Celeste makes a new failure that costs Ghana dearly.
5. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia), the genius is over
It was perhaps the competition of too much for Youssef Msakni. The former Esperance de Tunis nugget is only 32 years old but having spent his entire career practically in Qatar has certainly prevented him from having a big chest. He lost his agility on the side and some of his virtuosity. And this was felt in this competition, which was played in a country where he has shone for 10 years. Msakni has never been able to bring a spark in the game of Tunisia far from being bright.
