Madagascar becomes the first country to qualify for AFCON 2019 as the break Continental jinx

Madagascar became the first country to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Cameroon. Incidentally, This will be Madagascar’s debut appearance at the CAF’s elite national football tournament.

Madagascar national team popularly referred to as Berea were in Group A alongside Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan. Madagascar have so far won three games out of four and are closely followed by African football powerhouse Senegal.

Madagascar defeated Sudan 3-1 away in their first qualifier before holding Senegal 2-2 at home in September, a match overshadowed by the death of a supporter following a stadium stampede at the Stade Municipal de Mahamasina. They followed that up with a 1-0 away victory in Bata on Saturday, and can now look forward to taking their place among the continent’s heavyweights in Cameroon.

Madagascar have failed to qualify for the AFCON on 18 occasions, and withdrew from qualifying three times since their first qualification attempt ahead of the 1972 finals.