First day "lightened" in this week devoted to the elimination of the CAN-2021, with only two meetings on the program: those of group K, who first saw Madagascar rubbing against Ethiopia, then Côte d'Ivoire to receive Niger.
Quarter-finalists surprises of the CAN-2019, the Barea thus found the continental jousting with the hope of confirming their new status. And the task did not prove easy, against Ethiopia, since the men of Nicolas Dupuis owed their salvation to a goal of Troy Rayan Raveloson, registered shortly after the first quarter of an hour of play (1-0, 18th).
A success acquired without margin, in front of the public of the municipal stadium of Mahamasina, in Antananarivo, but which is enough in Madagascar to settle at the top of the group K of the qualifications.
Gradel is missing, Ivory Coast is doing well
On the evening of this first day, the Malagasy share this status of leading roped with Ivory Coast, which can at least congratulate themselves for avoiding a draw that was stretching their arms in Niger. The fault, in particular, a penalty missed in the first period by Gradel, while he had removed the ball from the hands of Pepe, who was about to hit him.
And it was finally on a second penalty, vehemently contested by the Nigerian players, that Kessie ended up giving the advantage to the Elephants, after the hour of play (1-0, 68th), before going out on injury. A small enough goal to share the head of group K with Madagascar. For the show of force, it will be necessary to wait.
• All results on Saturday, November 16
Group K
Madagascar 1 - 0 Ethiopia
Ivory Coast 1 - 0 Niger