AFCON 2021 qualifiers: Ethiopia stun Ivory Coast, Madagascar thump Niger

Ethiopia under the guidance of local coach Abraham Mebratu, caused an upset in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a 2-1 win over visiting Ivory Coast.

That loss allowed Madagascar to go to the top of Group K when they thrashed hosts Niger 6-2.

Also on Tuesday in Zimbabwe won in Zambia while in Group E Morocco beat Burundi and Mauritania overcame Central Africa Republic.

In the late Group J games Tunisia edged Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Malabo with former Premier League forward Wahbi Khazri scoring the only goal 16 minutes from time.

Libya won the other Group J game as they came from behind to beat Tanzania 2-1 in a match moved to Tunisia for security reasons.

Tanzania captain Mbwana Samatta and Libya's Sanad Warfali both scored from the penalty spot before Anis Saltou grabbed the winner with nine minutes left to play.

Libya ended the game with 10 men following the dismissal of Hamdou Elhouni for a second yellow card.

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The results mean Tunisia are top of the group with a maximum six points, Libya and Tanzania are both on three with Equatorial Guinea pointless.

Madagascar move top

Ivory Coast took an early lead in their Group K match against Ethiopia as captain Serge Aurier scored after just four minutes.

The Tottenham defender was the first to react after the Ethiopian keeper Abel Mamo was only able to parry a freekick from Max Gradel on the left.

The Ethiopians drew level 12 minutes later as a freekick from just outside the area from Surafel Dagnachew deflected off the head of an Ivorian in the wall to leave Sylvain Gbohouo wrong-footed as the ball went into the net.

They hosts took the lead on 26 minutes as Shemeles Bekele picked up the ball midway in the Ivorian half, as referee waved away claims of handball, he raced into the area and his shot found its way through Gboouhou and into the net.

In the day's other Group K game Madagascar made it two wins from two with a crushing 6-2 win over hosts Niger.

Niger actually took the lead after just four minutes as Amadou Wonkoye managed to beat the keeper at his near post from a free-kick on right-hand side of the area.

Madagascar, aiming for a second Nations Cup finals. took the lead with two goals from Lalaïna Nomenjanahary.

His first saw him crash the ball into net from a narrow angle on the right after a cross for the opposite flank evaded everyone.

The second was neat freekick routine that same him pick the ball on the edge of the area as the defence waited for a cross into the area and he side-footed into the net.

There were two more before half-time firstly Anicet from the penalty spot after Andria was fouled by Niger keeper Kassaly Daouda.

Andria then scored himself when an audacious chipped effort from 35 metres was not pushed over by Daouda and instead the ball came off the bar and fell at his feet for an easy goal.

Nine minutes after the break Paulin Voavy chested down a ball over the top into the area and took a fierce shot into the roof of the net the rout was complete when Renne's Jeremy Morel headed home a corner in the 65th minute.

With 14 minutes left to play Yussif Moussa scored a second consolation passing the ball into the net after a neat passing move inside the Malagasy penalty area.

It has not been a good start for Niger's new coach Jean-Guy Wallemme who has now lost both his games in charge since taking over last week, after the 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast.

The Frenchman will combine the role with Niger with his job in charge of French fourth-tier side C'Chartres.

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The results mean Madagascar are top of the group with six points, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast both have three and Niger are without a point.