Debutants Madagascar held Guinea to a 2-2 draw on Saturday in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener played in Alexandria.
Guinea took a first-half lead with a superbly-taken goal by Sory Kaba in the 34th minute but Madagascar struck back with two goals in the second period through Anicet Andrianantenaina and Charles Carolus Andriamahitsinoro.
The Syli Nationale pushed for an equalizer and they were rewarded in the 66th minute when Francois Kamano calmly converted a penalty after Romain Metanire had fouled Ibrahima Traore.
The game started on a high as it was expected with Guinea anticipated as the favourites. Within the first five minutes of the game, Guinea had displayed their dominance and got the first corner of the game. Simon Falette took it but it was an awful one as it went out for a goal kick.
Falette later brought in a dangerous cross but Melvin Adrien was at the right time and in the right place to push it out for a corner which Julian Jeanvier took but it was too long.
Guinea invariably took the lead when Kaboe capitalised on the Barea defensive error to lob the ball over goalkeeper Melvin Adrien into the empty net to make it 1-0.
The second half pretty much started as the first half with Madagascar eager to prove they can get results but it was Syli Nationale who got the first chance from a cross on the left flank but Mady Camara who had been impressive in the first half failed to direct the ball towards goal.
Madagascar refused to let it down and imposed themselves on the game. Abel rose at the near post to head in a corner in the 49th minute for the equalizer.
Six minutes later Andriamatsinoro ran on to a long ball and fired past Aly Keita to put the underdogs ahead.
Guinea coach Paul Put introduced Liverpool winger Naby Keita who replaced Mohamed Camara and they almost immediately equalised.
Madagascar almost took the lead again but the Guinea goalkeeper saved his side with the tip of his fingers after a header by the Barea’s player.
Guinea clawed back as they were awarded a penalty when Roman Metanire fouled Ibrahima Traore inside the vital area. Francois Kamano scored calmly from the spot to restore parity.
Keita nearly won the game in the third minute of stoppage time but he struck the upright poast with the goal at his mercy from six-yards out.
