Niger’s hopes of reaching the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations have officially ended. The Menas were eliminated from Group J, which saw Tunisia and Egypt secure the two qualification spots.
Despite the early exit, Niger will host Egypt for the 6th and final matchday of the qualifiers. However, the encounter will be largely symbolic, as the Menas are already out of contention and will be missing one of their key players. Star striker Moussa Maazou, currently without a club, was not included in coach François Zahoui’s squad for the fixture.
With nothing to play for in terms of qualification, Niger’s final home match will serve more as an opportunity for younger players to gain experience against a strong Egyptian side, rather than as a competitive clash with high stakes. The Pharaohs, on the other hand, will be looking to finish their campaign on a positive note ahead of the tournament in Egypt.
