Guinea 2 Madagascar 2: Francois Kamano penalty denies AFCON debutant
Francois Kamano scored from 12 yards to earn Guinea a hard-fought draw against minnows Madagascar at the Africa Nations Cup.
Published : Jun 23, 2019 15:07 IST
Africa Cup of Nations debutant Madagascar played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Guinea in its tournament opener on Saturday.
After seeing Uganda upset DR Congo earlier in the day, minnow Madagascar came close to producing a shock result of its own as second-half goals from Anicet and Andria turned the match on its head. But Guinea, which earlier led through Sory Kaba's smart strike, equalised with a Francois Kamana penalty, sparing its blushes in Alexandria.
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita appeared as a substitute, returning from an adductor injury sustained in Champions League action last month, yet Guinea was forced to settle for a point in Group B.
Kamano shaped a superb early effort just past the right-hand post from 20 yards, then Julian Jeanvier saw his downwards header deflected against the outside of the same upright. The Guinea opener soon followed as Amadou Diawara lofted a gorgeous pass in behind the Madagascar defence and Kaba skillfully beat goalkeeper Melvin Adrien with a twisting lob before passing into an empty net.
But Madagascar was level four minutes into the second half with its first AFCON goal through Anicet, flicking unmarked past Aly Keita from Andria's left-wing corner.
Guinea almost restored its lead when Kaba dragged a low shot against the post, but instead it sensationally trailed as Andria found time and space beyond the back line to control a looping ball and finish coolly.
Keita was called from the bench, yet it was Ibrahima Traore's pace on the counter that drew a desperate lunge from Romain Metanire, allowing Kamano to roll in the spot-kick to earn a share of the spoils.
Key Opta Facts:
- Guinea is winless in its last four opening games at the Africa Cup of Nations (D2, L2), after winning its previous three.
- Guinea is unbeaten in its last six group stage games at the AFCON (W1, D5), with five draws in a row.
- Sory Kaba has scored two of Guinea's last three goals in all competitions.
- Andria has been involved in three of Madagascar's last four goals in all competitions (2 goals, 1 assist).