CAN 2021 qualifiers: the Madagascan mess, the Ethiopian miracle
The Malagasy miss qualification in Cameroon (CAN 2021) after their draw against Niger (0-0).
AFP - KHALED DESOUKI
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 min
Madagascar, which was to win against Niger to hope for a second qualification for CAN, failed Tuesday against Mena (0-0).
A huge failure when Ethiopia, beaten by Côte d'Ivoire (1-3) inherited the second qualifying ticket to the CAN.
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An incredible scenario and outcome in this last day of group K. There was only one place to take after the qualification of Côte d'Ivoire and the elimination of Niger on the 5th day.
The data was clear: the Malagasy, quarter-finalists in 2019, had to beat the Nigeriens and hope for a defeat at the same time from Ethiopia to the Elephants to go to Cameroon.
This scenario took the right path for the Barea when after 20 minutes, the Ivorians were already leading 2-0 in front of the Abyssinian Ibex.
Willy Boli opened the scoring in the third minute by heading a corner from Serge Aurier.
Franck Kessie added to the bill on a penalty obtained by Jean Evrard Kouassi (19th).
It only remained for Nicolas Dupuis' men to score against the Nigeriens to complete the mission.
They will never get there.
Faced with a team that they had however
corrected, 6-2, in the first leg
in Niamey, Faneva Ima Andriatsima and his family could not find the frame.
It must be said that Niger, without pressure, was without complex in this meeting causing even concern to the Malagasy who never knew how to take this match.
They thus let Ethiopia, although battered in Côte d'Ivoire (1-3), fly to Cameroon.
It is certainly with great regret and immense disappointment that the Barea will turn this page of qualifying which they had started with the ambition of reconnecting with the CAN for a second consecutive time.
For Ethiopia, this qualification takes on the appearance of a miracle after having aligned three defeats in as many outings on the outside.
Eight years after their last participation in the CAN in 2013, the Walya will therefore find the most beautiful scene in African football.
CAN 2021: calendar, results, qualifying rankings
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