Madagascar becomes first team to qualify for African Cup of Nations
Madagascar has become the first team to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations and will play at the continental championship for the first time after beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 on Tuesday.
Midfielder Njiva Rakotoharimalala scored the decisive goal late in the first half and Madagascar held on to clinch one of the top two places in Group A with two games to spare.
The victory is the biggest moment for soccer on the Indian Ocean island and follows the head of its national federation, Ahmad, being elected president of the Confederation of African Football last year.
The top two from each group qualify with the exception of Group B, where the highest-placed team will qualify alongside tournament host Cameroon, which is also playing in the qualifying competition despite already being guaranteed a place.
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