2019 AFCON: The Barea of Madagascar, a newcomer at the quaterfinals
The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea is the only debut amongst the eight countries that have booked their ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Indian Ocean Islanders advanced to the quaterfinals after defeating the DR Congo in the round 16 fixtures.
Bookmakers have described the ongoing big African football tournament in Egypt as a show full of surprises as some four tournaments favourites failed to make the last eight.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco was stunned by Benin on penalties to reach the quarters.
The small west African nation survived a last-gasp stoppage-time penalty missed by Morocco and an extra-time dismissal to create one of the tournament’s great upsets. This is the first time , the Squirrels of Benin crossed the group stage at the AFCON
The host, Pharoahs of Egypt quest to stage the tournament and win, ended in a bizarre fashion when they lost 1-0 in front of their home fans against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Defending champions, The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon suffered a 3-2 defeat against rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the topliner of the quarter-finals.
The Black Stars of Ghana had their turn of the upset when Carthage Eagles of Tunisia managed to send them packing on penalties.
Below are the teams that succeeded in qualifying for the last eight of the 2019 AFCON.
Benin
Algeria
South Africa
Nigeria
Benin
Madagascar
Cote D’Ivoire
Tunisia
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will have a day break and resume on Wednesday 10th July 2019 with the quarter finals pairings.
The matches with the exception of the Cote D’Ivoire fixture against Algeria will be played in Cairo.
Benly Anchunda in Cairo