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The Tunisian Yassine Meriah pressed by the Malagasy Lalaina Nomenjanahary. Pierre René-Worms / RFI

Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia are in the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The three African nations participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

From our special envoy in Cairo,

Except for Egypt, eliminated by South Africa in the round of 16, and Morocco, beaten by Benin at the same stage of the competition, the 2018 globalists are in the last four.

Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia now have the opportunity to buy the continental title. Only Algeria, still in contention, had not taken part in the last World Cup in Russia. She remains on her eighth final in 2014 in Brazil.

Fifteenth semi-final for Nigeria !

With Gernot Rohr at the helm, Nigeria was certainly the best African team in the game for the Russians for its sixth participation. " I think that in the future, the arrival of new generations that can bring as much individual talent, Nigeria will continue to grow as a nation and as a team, " Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli said in St. Petersburg. , after the defeat of the Super Eagles against the band to Lionel Messi. The Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr still in the baguette, will take part in the 15th semifinal of Nigeria which has three coronations.

" We write the history of Tunisia and once we are there, we want to go to the end ! Commented Tunisian Naïm Sliti after the victory over Madagascar. The Dijon player was part of the team in Russia. " Playing a World Cup against stars has brought us serenity, " adds the international. Already eliminated, Tunisia had imposed against Panama to Saranks for his last match of the World (2-1). A feat for the Carthage Eagles who had not won since 1978 in Argentina against Mexico. The Tunisians had previously lost to England and Belgium.

Senegal in search of its first CAN

For his return to the World Cup, Senegal beat Poland (2-1). This victory, the first of an African team in Russia, made the Senegalese happy before being held in check by Japan (2-2). In front of Colombia, only the Teranga Lions could still enter the second round of the Russian World Cup, following the elimination of Nigeria, after those of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. But the defeat of the Lions against Colombia (1-0) had buried the last hope of the African continent to have a representative in the round of 16.

The Senegalese, with one win, one draw and one defeat, could pass with four points, behind Colombia (6 points), except that Japan also had the same number of points, the same goal difference, the same number of points. goals scored. The criterion for breaking the tie was fair play and the number of cards received. In this game, the Japanese had been more disciplined with four boxes, against six for Senegal. Since 1986, it was the first time that no African team was present in the second round.

Of these three world teams, only the Senegalese have never raised the African Cup of Nations despite a final in 2002 with their current coach Aliou Cissé, captain at the time.

► Also read: CAN 2019, calendar, results and standings of the Africa Cup