Just over a month ago, the Ivory Coast defeated Senegal in the first leg of their two-leg playoff for qualification on the 2013 Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The scoreline in the first match, contested in the Ivory Coast was 4-2 in favor of the home side, which of course means that Senegal collected two very important away goals (including this absolute peach from Papiss Cisse)
Why yes- yes that was a headed goal from 20 yards out.
The second leg (Senegal's home leg) happens this weekend and beyond qualification for the ACON for the team that wins the aggregate scoreline, the match will determine which first team stars Newcastle will be without for the largest chunk of the month of January. The Ivory Coast come into the second leg with an advantage thanks to their 2-goal victory in the first leg- but the 2 away goals that Senegal scored mean that a 2-0 victory in the return leg will see Senegal through on the away-goals rule. An outright victory by Ivory Coast will of course mean that Cheik Tiote will be the man to miss Toon matches during the ACON. Consider this your live thread if you're out there watching along today.