While a victory would have ensured that he qualified for CAN 2021, the Madagascar team lost heavily in Ethiopia (4-0) and revived today’s opponents. The last day in this group K promises to be exciting.
Madagascar may have lost more than one match on Wednesday by losing in Addis Ababa to Ethiopia (3-0). Barea who could compost his ticket for the second time CAN no longer have his fate in hand.
And even a victory against Niger, the group’s last, in Antananarivo on Tuesday may not be enough for qualification. This defeat against Ethiopia downgrades Nicolas Dupui’s men to third place and the latter, with the special goal difference, will, no matter what happens, be behind Ivory Coast and Ethiopia in the event of a defeat.
In other words, if the Ivorians beat Niger on Thursday, March 25, the Ethiopians will only need a draw in Abidjan to qualify while eliminating Barea.
This is certainly not what Lalaina Nomenjanahary and his friends had imagined when they landed in Addis Ababa, but they had every reason to be careful on a lawn there. Ivory Coast had folded (1-2) on the second day.
Malagasy gave in very early in this meeting by letting in the opening in the 19th minute by Amanuel Gebremichael who scored his first goal of the election. He will be imitated by Getaneh Kebede (34th) and Abubeker Nassir (41ee) who offered a decisive advantage to Walya from the first period. The fourth goal for Shimelis Bekele (86th) put an end to the Malagasy route that will have a hard time digesting this resounding setback.
