True to their pre-match boast, underdogs Madagascar on Sunday evening caused a huge upset at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, shocking Nigeria’s Super Eagles with two unreplied goals in their final Group B match at the Alexandria Stadium.
The tournament debutants outplayed the hitherto group leaders that paraded big names playing in foreign leagues, winning easily with a goal in each half.
The Madagascans put the game beond the Eagles when they extended their lead shortly on the restart for the second half. Shortly after his introduction to replace under-performing skipper John Obi Mikel, midfield man Wilfred Ndidi had given away a cheap free-kick on the edge of the Nigerian box. Carolus Andriamatsinoro blasted the ball, which deflected off the Eagles’ wall and settled into the right top corner – far beyond goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
All efforts by the Eagles to reduce the tally proved abortive until the referee’s final whistle.
With this result, Madagascar advance as Group B winners with seven points from three matches while Nigeria go through as runners-up.
In the other Group B game, Guinea defeated 10-man Burundi also by 2-0 to finish with four points and stand a good chance of progressing as one of the four best third-placed teams.
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