Ethiopia shock Cote d’ Ivoire

JOHANNESBURG. - The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers wrapped up for this international break with seven matches across the continent on Tuesday, with the headline result being Ethiopia’s surprise victory over West African heavyweights Ivory Coast.

The afternoon matches saw Morocco pick up their first win in Group E, thumping Burundi 3-0 away from home thanks to goals from Noussair Mazraoui, Youssef En Nesyri and Achraf Hakimi, while Ethiopia claimed a famous 2-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire in Group K.

Serge Aurier put the Elephants ahead early on, but the Wayla Antelopes struck back through Sufarel Dagnachew and Shimelis Bekele for their first three points.

In the early-evening games, Madagascar opened up a three-point lead at the top of Group K with an emphatic 6-2 away win over Niger, led by a brace from Lalaina Nomenjanahary.

Zambia’s awful start to the qualifiers continued with a 2-1 home loss at the hands of arch rivals Zimbabwe (whose goals were both scored by Khama Billiat), and Mauritania have joined Morocco at the top of Group E with a 2-0 home triumph over Central African Republic.

The night matches both came from Group J, where Tunisia have taken a strong grip on top spot with a 1-0 win away to Equatorial Guinea (Wahbi Khazri netted for the Carthage Eagles in the second half), while Libya leapfrogged Tanzania by defeating the Southeast African side 2-1 in Monastir thanks to goals from Sanad Al Warfali and Anis Saltou.

Ethiopia came from behind to shock the Ivory Coast 2-1 and Madagascar crushed Niger 6-2 in fierce heat as 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match-day two qualifying concluded on Tuesday.

Hundreds in a huge crowd at the 60 000seat Bahir Dar stadium ran on to the field at full-time to salute an Ethiopian side composed of 10 home-based footballers plus one who plays in Egypt. - AFP.