MADAGASCAR CLAIMED THE upset of the Africa Cup of Nations so far with a stunning 2-0 win over Nigeria on Sunday.
The 108th-ranked team are competing in the tournament for the first time and were unfancied against the three-time AFCON champions.
But goals from Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Carolus Andriamahitsinoro settled the clash in Alexandria as Madagascar surprisingly finished on top of Group B.
Heading into the fixture on the back of a win against Burundi – the nation’s first of any kind since October 2018 – Madagascar battled well and were a threat on the break against a Nigeria side who appeared to have the next stage of the competition on their mind.
Nigeria advance in second place, and this was a wake-up call for them.
The opening goal came almost from nothing, John Ogu’s 12th-minute pass back to defender Leon Balogun intercepted with ease.
Balogun called for the ball but hesitated as it approached and as he dithered, he also lost his footing.
Madagascar have qualified for the knockout phase of the AFCON for the first time in their history, topping their table. This is also the first AFCON they have participated in. pic.twitter.com/nnvzMFSxoN
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) June 30, 2019
That gave Nomenjanahary the time to nip in, steal the ball and show composure to round Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and tap into an empty net.
Samuel Kalu curled an effort wide as Nigeria sought a quick response but even though they controlled possession, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
And Nigeria were short on luck, too, with Kalu’s appeal for a penalty turned down despite it looking like he was clipped as he tried to round Madagascar goalkeeper Adrien Melvin.
Madagascar doubled their lead in the 53rd minute as Andriamahitsinoro’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off half-time substitute Wilfred Ndidi.
The deflection wrong-footed Ezenwa before bouncing in off the right post.
And the match fizzled out from there, Nigeria never really getting close to pulling a goal back, with both sides now turning their attention to the round-of-16 stage.
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Not even close!!!
Except if Van Dijk is turned he has the pace to recover and also turns faster than a JCB in the first place. If Maguire goes to City I can see him being punished on the break. Also if he was the exact same player only Irish theres not a hope this figure would be paid for him and he probably wouldn’t have even got to Leicester.
@Hugh Jass: I don’t know what Maguire you’re taking about, but this lad bossed City’s attack a few weeks back and had no problem running up the wing with the ball , skipping past opposition wingers and defenders and putting in a fairly decent cross for a CB… and don’t say that’s just one game !!! Its my opinion he has the same attributes as Ramos in that he’s powerful, good in the air, can run with the ball and is a danger in the box for any defending team…..
There is similarities in their play tbf. Van dyke is better but I do rate Maguire and we would see what he can do at a better team. Time would tell.
@Seaniecp: Agree, and I do think he would be a great addition to the Utd team.
@Logan Shepherd: not for 100m
@Ich bin brendan: Definitely not. He’s not worth half that. But at the right money he is better than Utd’s current CB options. In my opinion anyway.
@Ich bin brendan: I wouldn’t believe fees that are being tossed around in the media or on social networks. He other day sky reported that but city and Utd would pay 65m for him … then you here 100m then 100m plus addons etc from other sources
Decent player but overacted by English media.
What is he smoking
Ha,ha,ha.
Hilarious
Hey 42 I think that’s just a picture Tody Leonard Moore in a Leicester jersey
A big lump