Ahead of the last two match days to complete the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications series SPORTSWorldGhana.com takes a look at qualifying Group K and presents that each teams need in order to qualify for the finals of the tournament.
Ivory Coast – 7 points +1 goal
The Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire lead the table with seven points tied with Madagascar but the Ivorians have a better head to head records over the latter after beating them 2-1 in Abidjan and drawing 1-1 in Toamasina.
Ivory Coast will move on 10 points if they beat Niger on 26 March 2021 and then at least a draw will be enough to qualify them to the finals when they meet Ethiopia in a home game on March 30th.
Madagascar – 7points +4 goals
Madagascar have two games – against Ethiopia away and versus Niger at home. If they beat Ethiopia thry would have qualified to the tournament finals with 10 points with a game to spare against Niger.
If Madagascar loses against Ethiopia, they will another chance at home against Niger in the last match. If they beat Niger they go on 10 points but they will hope for Ivory Coast to beat Ethiopia in Abidjan and if Ethiopia snatches a draw in this game they would have reached 10 point also meaning the head to head between Ethiopia and Madagascar will be applied.
Ethiopia – 6 points + 3 goals
Ethiopia are 3rd on the group with 6 points. If they beat Madagascar on 24th March, they go on 9 points and if Ivory Coast do not win against Niger on 26th March, then Ethiopia would have lead the table.
So Ethiopia needs to beat Madagascar on Wednesday to brighten their chances.
Niger – 3 points -7 goals
Niger has the least chance of qualifying. They are on 3 points and are at home against Ivory Coast on Friday.
To qualify they will need to beat both Ivory Coast and Madagascar hoping that Ivory Coast do not win their last game and Madagascar does not win against Ethiopia. This is highly improbable.