Madagascar are on the verge of making the last 16 in their first Africa Cup of Nations after Marco Ilaimaharitra scored to earn a 1-0 win over Burundi in Alexandria Thursday. But whatever place they occupy in the final standings will almost certainly take them through as group winners and runners-up and the best four of the six third-place teams progress. Nigeria have six points, Madagascar four, Guinea one and Burundi none after two series of mini-league matches in the Mediterranean city. The Malagasy then produced a shot soon after that forced a fine save from the Burundi goalkeeper in 28 degrees celsius (85 fahrenheit) heat at the Alexandria Stadium. It was from yet another set-piece that Ilaimaharitra gave Madagascar the lead, steering the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

Source: Punch June 27, 2019 16:26 UTC