CAN 2021: "worried", Nicolas Dupuis requests the postponement of Côte d'Ivoire-Madagascar
Nicolas Dupuis, Madagascar coach.
BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
After a year of interruption, the CAN 2021 qualifiers resume in November 2020. But Nicolas Dupuis asked CAF to postpone the Madagascar match scheduled for Côte d'Ivoire on November 12.
On the one hand, the Bareas coach fears that his players will find it difficult to rally the African continent.
And on the other hand, the uncertain situation in Côte d'Ivoire worries him.
He confided in RFI.
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A year later, the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will be able to resume.
Interrupted and postponed several times due to the
Covid-19 pandemic
, they will continue during November.
And in Group K, Madagascar got off to a good start in the qualification race.
After two days, the Bareas are at the head of the group, thanks to their victories against Ethiopia (1-0, 1st day) and against Niger (6-2, 2nd day).
Now it's time for Côte d'Ivoire, the group's ultimate team.
The Elephants will face the Malagasy on Thursday, November 12 in Ebimpé, north of Abidjan, on the third day of the qualifiers.
The two teams must then meet for the 4th day, Tuesday, November 17, in Madagascar, in Toamasina precisely.
But the appointment of November 12 is compromised.
► See also: The African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, endless soap opera
"I don't want to take my players into a trap"
Nicolas Dupuis has officially asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone the match scheduled for Ebimpé.
The French coach, contacted by RFI, put forward two reasons for this request.
The first relates to the health situation in Europe: Nicolas Dupuis fears that his players will have trouble getting to Africa.
In his speech on October 28, when he announced the country's reconfinement,
French President Emmanuel Macron
indicated that borders outside the European Union will be closed "
with some exceptions
".
What complicates the upcoming trips of Malagasy internationals?
"
I still have 17 players out of 25 selected who play in the French championships,
" said Nicolas Dupuis.
The other reason for this postponement request has its source in the current situation in Côte d'Ivoire, with a
tense presidential election
.
"
The opponents have called for disobedience ...
" noted the coach of Madagascar.
This one admits to being "
attentive
" and "
worried
".
"
Who can ensure our security if the secretary general of the presidency is himself strafed?"
He wonders.
“
We have to wait for the results of the ballot box.
The problem is, it takes time for results to arrive.
And we will arrive on the day of the result, precisely.
So that's scary!
I don't want to lead my players into a trap.
And I don't want to go there either
, ”said Nicolas Dupuis.
The Bareas are now awaiting the response from CAF.
► Click to follow the first round of the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire live
Interview by Christophe Jousset for RFI.
The classification of group K after two days in these qualifiers of the CAN 2021
1. Madagascar, 6 points (+5)
2. Ethiopia, 3 points (0)
3. Ivory Coast, 3 points (0)
4. Niger, 0 point (-5)
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