Foxes devour Teranga Lions; Madagascar close to qualification
Algeria became the third team to book their place in the 2019 Total AFCON round of 16 when they emerged victorious by 1-0 from their Group C match day two thriller over fellow favourites and Africa's best ranked team Senegal on Thursday at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.
Youcef Belaili scored four minutes after the break to send Les Fennecs to the round of 16 as the third team to achieve this after Nigeria and hosts Egypt.
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The Foxes raised their tally to six points, three more than Senegal’s Teranga Lions.
Senegal’s star Sadio Mane tried his luck from outside the area but his free kick went high over the crossbar at the 22nd minute.
At the half hour mark Baghdad Bounedjah should have given Les Fennecs the lead.
The Algerian lanky striker received a long ball and rounded goalkeeper Mendy, just for Khalidou Koulibaly to clear the ball before the Algerian could send it home.
Algeria resumed the second half as the better side and it took them just four minutes to take the deserved lead and the match winner.
Sofiane Fighouli sent a calling cross that found Belaili whose shot was too much for Mendy to deal with.
Madagascar moved a step closer to a historic qualification to the knockout stages of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations, after they defeated fellow debutants Burundi 1-0 at the Alexandria Stadium yesterday.
Madagascar raised their tally to four points, second of Group B and two points shy from leader Nigeria.
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They moved to the brink of reaching the Round of 16 in their first ever AFCON appearance.
Cedric Amissi had Burundi’s first effort on target after 27 minutes but the defence was there to stop the effort.
Ima Andriatsima tried to break the deadlock but his header missed the target by a slim margin. Both teams went to the dressing rooms with a barren draw.
Marco Ilaimaharita broke the deadlock for Madagascar 14 minutes from time.
Substitute Paolin Voavy was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and from the resultant freekick Ilaimaharita gave Madagascar what proved to be the game’s lone goal.
Madagascar now need a point from their final group game against leaders Nigeria to accompany them to the next round. — cafonline