After two days in qualifying for CAN 2019, some “small” nations of African football can already hope for a first participation in the African Cup in Cameroon. This is the case of Madagascar, Burundi, Comoros and Mauritania. These countries could be the first beneficiaries of the passage of 16 to 24 teams decided by the CAF for the next CAN.
Madagascar : Equatorial main rival Guinea
Barea stand up to Senegal, globalist, this Sunday in Antananarivo (2-2). The team trained by the Frenchman Nicolas Dupuis does not stop progressing as much in the game as in the mind, which allowed him to return to the score twice against the Lions of Teranga. Madagascar, who has never competed in an African Cup, is perhaps holding the right end with a second place tied with the Senegal leader of pool A. If the first place in the group should logically finish between Senegalese hands, the second place will certainly be played between Madagascar and Equatorial Guinea; Sudan beaten twice, seems already dropped. Having won in Sudan (3-1) on the first day, the Barea will certainly play the qualification in the next double confrontation against Equatorial Guinea between 10 and 16 October.
Burundi: Berahino arrives at the right time
The point made in Libreville Sunday against Gabon (1-1) could be very valuable at the time of the final count. With four points, the Swallows remain second in pool C behind Mali (6 points). With three points ahead of Gabon, its main rival, Burundi has a joker in the race for qualification. The selection led by Olivier Niyungeko runs behind a first participation in the CAN since always. In 1994, Burundi was very close to qualifying but had lost to shoot-offs against Guinea in a play-off. This time seems to be good especially with the reinforcement of Saido Berahino, player of Stoke, and scorer in Libreville for his first selection.
Comoros : thanks to Cameroon ?
It may be the most polished selection of these playoffs. The Comoros are indeed in Pool B of Cameroon, the host country, and could qualify even if they finish third in the group as long as the Indomitable Lions (automatically qualified) finish first or second. Which is good. If the first two places should logically return to Cameroon and Morocco, the third will be played between Comoros and Malawi. Cameroon could be the “ally” of the “Coelacanths”; already with the point dropped in Moroni Sunday (1-1)and then because the Indomitable will be in double confrontation in October against Malawi. If Cameroon “does the job”, the qualification of Amir Abdou’s men could be played in Moroni against Malawi in November. For the Comoros, who have only been members of FIFA since 2005, it will undoubtedly be the most important match in their history.
Mauritania : remove Angola …
This time it may be the right one. After having played in the African Championships (CHAN) in 2014 and in 2018, Mauritania, which continues to progress with the coach and former playmaker of Auxerre, Corentin Martins, can dream of a first CAN in 2019. The Mourabitounes caused a sensation in qualifying with two victories in two days including a convincing match against Burkina Faso (2-0) . Mauritania leads group I ahead of Burkina and Angola, who could be its main rival. If she manages to get at least three points in the double against Palancas Negras, she will not be far from Cameroon. The whole country in dream.
CAN 2019: Schedule and Playoff Results
http://afriquefoot.rfi.fr/20180910-can-2019-ces-petits-peuvent-rever-grand