There is no big surprise in the game of football than when you see team both analyst and statistics is against coming out top in an encounter against all odds. Nigeria suffered a shocking defeat in a group they were leading with 6 points going into this game and only needed a draw to emerge the group winner.
Madagascar ranked a whooping 108 in FIFA ranking this evening defeated 43rd ranked Nigerian senior national team ‘’ Super Eagles’’ by 2-0 in the last game of the group B match to emerge the leader of the group. The South African nation side is debuting for the first in the tournament since its inception.
First Half
The game started very well for the Nigeria side dominating proceeding until the 13th minutes when a back pass which was not properly dealt with by defender Leon Balogun resulted to the first goal for Barea by Lanaia Nomenjanahary. The super eagles kept searching for an equaliser throughout the first half but the Madagascar boys unlike Africa game were doing a lot of runs to cover Gernot Rohr side from penetrating the defence area. A good opportunity presented itself for Nigeria to equalise when Ahmed Musa was one on one with the keeper decided to dribble which caused him to lose ball for a corner kick.
Second Half
The second goal of the game came courtesy of Andriamahitsinoro’s free kick which deflected of Ndidi’s hand to beat keeper Ezenwa the Nigerian goal keeper on the 53th minutes. With Mikel substituted for Arsenal Iwobi, the team failed to create any clear cut chance till the last minute of the game.
Madagascar as it stands now is topping group B with 7 points while Nigeria came second with 6 points and no goal difference. The likes of Burundi and Guinea have exited the tournament as both sides played for glory in the last game of the group as Guinea came top to finish 3rd of the group.
Madagascar goes Crazy
The final whistle saw the players and staff of the Madagascar side celebrating their coach as they poured him bottled water on the side line. It will be a big jubilation in the nation of Madagascar to night as the minor for the first time in history defeated the African giant in their first AFCON outing.
Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr will have his handful as he prepares to take on the host nation Egypt in the round of 16 next week.
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