Madagascar vs Nigeria ended favour of the underdogs following a 2-0 win over the mighty Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Leon Balogun gifted the first goal to Laliana who steals the ball and dribbles past Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal to make it 1-0.
The second came from a deflected free kick by Wilfred Ndidi which was taken by Andrea in the second half.
Madagascar now top Group B as they finished with seven points, one above Nigeria who have six and Guinea came third after putting two goals past Burundi to go through to the round of 16 with four points.
The Super Eagles will play the runner-up of Group F which will likely be a blockbuster game with Ghana.
Jun 30 6:48 PM
90’ — Referee blows final whistle
Nigeria seem to be getting it all wrong as the referees blows the final whistle. Madagascar record their biggest win in history.
Jun 30 6:44 PM
88’ — Ball possession
Madagascar: 31%, Nigeria: 69%. But the scoreline is in favour of the Barea
Jun 30 6:38 PM
85’ — Super Eagles not playing to expectation
It's been a flat from the Super Eagles so far as they seem to have run out of ideas. Madagascar are on the verge on recording the biggest victory in their history.
Jun 30 6:36 PM
81’ — Etebor wastes two chances in succession
Etebor hits a free kick against the wall and volleys another chance into the crowd within the space of a minute.
Jun 30 6:34 PM
80’ — Ball Posession
Madagascar: 30%, Nigeria: 70%. The Super Eagles have been unable to unlock their opponent's defence despite enjoying more of the possession.
Jun 30 6:32 PM
77’ — Etebor concedes a corner
The Barea wins a corner out of nothing as Etebor interception rolls over the line to give Madagascar the advantage.
Jun 30 6:30 PM
75’ — Simon wins a corner
Simon attempts a cross as he wins a corner. Corner taken as Mamy clears the ball with a diving header. Still 2-0.
Jun 30 6:28 PM
73’ — SUBSTITUTION!
Moses Simon comes on for Samuel Kalu. Injured Razak is replaced by Mamy Randrianarisoa.
Jun 30 6:24 PM
69’ — Razak tackles Kalu hard
Razak launches a tackle on Samuel Kalu but the throw is given to Madagascar as Nigeria become increasingly frustrated.
Jun 30 6:22 PM
67’ — Credit to Madagascar
Credit to the Madagascans as they have successfully shot-down every move made by the Super Eagles in the midfield.
Jun 30 6:19 PM
65’ — Free kick
Etebor was dragged to the ground by William Gross. Etebor takes it but not on target as the Super Eagles still trail by 2-0.,
Jun 30 6:18 PM
62’ — SUBSTITUTION
William Gross come in for Faneva Andriatsima.
Jun 30 6:16 PM
60’ — Igahlo wins a corner kick
Corner to Nigeria from Kalu as the ball drops back to him, but his second cross was missed by Ndidi who attempted a volley.
Jun 30 6:14 PM
58’ — Madagascar almost score again
Madagascar almost score again as Razak almost latches onto the ball from an initial Andrea's header but Ezenwa catches.
Jun 30 6:11 PM
57’ — Quick shot from Ndidi
Ndidi tries to make amends as he turns and shoot in the box but an easy catch for the goalkeeper.
Jun 30 6:08 PM
53’ — Free kick to the Bareas
Free kick to the Bareas in a promising position and Andrea scores.
Jun 30 6:09 PM
53’ — GOOOAAAAAL!
A deflected free kick from Ndidi as Ikechukwu Ezenwa was completely beaten. Good fortune for Madagascar.
Jun 30 6:06 PM
52’ — Calls for a penalty
Kalu asking for a penalty after he seemed to have been pushed from behind in the box by a Madagascar defender.
Jun 30 6:05 PM
50’ — Ola Aina's through ball to Musa
Timely interception from Ola Aina through ball to Ahmed Musa which almost opens the water-tight defence.
Jun 30 6:02 PM
47’ — Nigeria begin well
The Super Eagles are trying to quickly settle into the game but Madagascar are also on their toes.
Jun 30 6:00 PM
46’ — SUBSTITUTION!
Ndidi comes in for Ogu just before the kick off as Madagascar set the ball rolling for the second 45 minutes.
Jun 30 5:44 PM
45’ — Nigeria struggling upfront
Nigeria have been closely marked in sixes and sevens, no space for Ighalo or Musa to operate. The Barea have done their home work as they lead by 1-0.
Jun 30 5:45 PM
45’ — Half time
Referee blows the whistle for half time. The Super Eagles are behind courtesy of terrible defending as Leon Balogun gifts Lalaina a goal from a faulty back-pass.
Jun 30 5:42 PM
43’ — CHANCE!
Madagascar captain Andriatsima hits the side-netting but the referee calls for an offside. Lucky escape for Nigeria.
Jun 30 5:40 PM
41’ — Musa tries to find Ighalo
Musa tries to find Ighalo in the box but the ball came off a defender as the keeper comes and collect.
Jun 30 5:38 PM
39’ — Etebor's free kick
Nobody was able to connect with Etebor's free kick as the ball goes across the face of goal for a Madagascar goal kick.
Jun 30 5:34 PM
37’ — Kalu tries a run
Kalu drives in a cross but deflected for a throw. But Nigeria seem to be below their best as they are struggling to create a meaningful chance in the final third.
Jun 30 5:32 PM
33’ — Corner for Madagascar
Ola Aina concedes a corner for the Barea. Corner is taken but wasted for a goal-kick to Nigeria. Runners up of Group B plays runners up of group F which could be Nigeria vs Ghana.
Jun 30 5:30 PM
31’ — CHANCE!
Ahmed Musa one-on-one with the keeper as he tries to dribble but intercepted for a corner. Musa should done better. Two corner kicks taken but the referee blows his whistle for a free kick to the Barea.
Jun 30 5:28 PM
29’ — Ighalo commits a foul
Ighalo involved in a push with Razak as the referee gives a free kick to Madagascar. Igahlo's complaint falls on deaf ears.
Jun 30 5:26 PM
27’ — Ball possession
Madagascar: 32%, Nigeria: 68%. Nigeria still trying find their balance after going a goal behind from a defensive blunder.
Jun 30 5:24 PM
25’ — Guinea have scored in the other game
Guinea leads Burundi in Cairo and could join Nigeria and Madagascar in the round of 16. But the Super Eagles still trail by 1-0.
Jun 30 5:22 PM
23’ — CHANCE!
Faneva Andriatsima gets a cut-back from the ball from the left but did not get the right contact on the ball and that did not threaten Ezenwa in goal.
Jun 30 5:19 PM
21’ — Still 1-0
Madagascar scored with their first attempt on goal courtesy of a gift from Leon Balogun. As it stands the Barea top the group.
Jun 30 5:17 PM
19’ — Kalu's chance
Good cut-back from Samuel Kalu as he drives in a left-foot shot from the right but the ball goes wide for a goal-kick.
Jun 30 5:16 PM
17’ — Another error from Balogun
Leon Balogun makes another blunder but his blushes was quickly cleared by Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Shaky start from the Super Eagles.
Jun 30 5:11 PM
13’ — GOOOOOAAAAAAL!
GOOOAAAAAL!
Jun 30 5:13 PM
13’ — Terrible defending
Terrible mistake from Leon Balogun as Laliana steals the ball and dribbles past Ezenwa in goal to score Madagascar's first ever goal against Nigeria. 1-0 to the Barea.
Jun 30 5:10 PM
10’ — Corner kick for Nigeria
Awaziem wins a corner out of nothing for the Super Eagles. Troost-Ekong could not connect with the header as Madagascar begin a counter-attack.
Jun 30 5:08 PM
09’ — Free kick taken by Musa
Musa skies the free kick as Madagascar breathe a sigh of relief. Mikel is brought down and a free kick is awarded to Nigeria.
Jun 30 5:07 PM
08’ — Foul in a dangerous position
Ighalo wins the foul in a dangerous position as Razak clips him from behind just in front of the 18-yard box.
Jun 30 5:05 PM
05’ — Ball Possession
Madagascar: 17%, Nigeria: 83%. Nigeria dominating the early exchanges of the match as Madagascar are yet to settle into the match.
Jun 30 5:03 PM
03’ — CHANCE!
Chidozie Awaziem crosses the ball into the 18-yard box as Mikel contests for the header with a defender and he has another chance to shoot but it was quickly intercepted by a defender.
Jun 30 4:57 PM
01’ — Kick off
The match gets underway as Odion Ighalo begins the match and Nigeria are playing from right to left at the Alexandria Stadium.
Authors:
Akan Anwankwo Akan Anwankwo is a sports editor, a graduate of English Language and Literature Studies at the University of Lagos. He's passionate about what he does and finds fulfillment in informing readers.
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