Ethiopia will return to the AFCON after an eight-year absence despite a 3-1 loss at the hands of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan on Tuesday. The match had to be suspended for close to an hour after the main referee experienced some health challenges.
First assistant referee Gilbert Cheruiyot stepped in for the final quarter after an hour of play. However, the game finished 3-1 just as it was when it was temporarily halted. Ethiopia goes through after Madagascar was held to a goalless draw by Niger in the other group match in Masaina. This means The Walia Ibex finish second in the group and earn a ticket to Cameroon.
Serge Aurier registered a goal and two assists
Ethiopia found themselves trailing 127 seconds into the match. Serge Aurier who starred in last week’s 3-0 win over Niger registered a goal and two assists. They were 2-0 down in the 17th minute when the home side doubled their tally. AC Milan midfielder, Franck Kessie scored from the penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong direction. The referee pointed to the spot after Remdan Yussef brought down Kouassi inside the box.
Moreover, in the second half, the home side made some effort to score. Five minutes after the restart, Kouassi had a chipped effort come off the bar. In the 65th minute, Yohan Boli missed a great chance when he tapped wide unmarked at the back post off a Jouassi cross.
Ethiopia brought itself back into the game when Kebede scored in the 73rd minute. He tapped the ball in from a yard out after Shemekit Gugesa’s cross from the left landed on his path.
But the hope of a comeback was short-lived as the Ivoirians got back to their two-goal cushion three minutes later. Kouasi scored after wriggling away from two markers off a Max Gradel cross before slamming into the net.
Mauritania beat the Central African Republic to qualify for TOTAL AFCON
Meanwhile, Mauritania qualified for the Total Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 for the second time in its history. This marks a consecutive appearance after their debut in Egypt in 2019.
The Mourabitounes sealed their qualification on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Mauritania recorded an away 1-0 victory over the Central African Republic in Bangui.
Mauritania scored in the opening half injury time through Aboubacar Kamara. They subsequently defended this goal well to raise their Group E tally to 9 points. This means they are four points clear of third-place Burundi who plays Morocco later in the day in Rabat.
Moreover, Mauritania played on an attacking note from the start knowing a win will take them automatically to the finals. However, they had to wait till the brink of halftime to score what proved to be the game’s lone goal. Ismail Diakité provided the assist for Kamara to give his side a cheerful moment they cherished till the final whistle.
The Cameroon 2021 AFCON qualifiers will end today. However, the tournament will be without some former winners. Key among them are 2012 champions, Zambia and the 1996 Champions, South Africa.
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