softfootball.com match preview
Madagascar and Gambia meet on Friday in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations Group A qualifier at the Stade Larbi Zaouli. Both teams are searching for their first win of the campaign after sluggish starts and will be hoping to kick-start their bids for a place in the 2025 tournament.
Match Preview
Madagascar’s poor AFCON form continued in September with a 1-1 draw against Comoros, extending their winless run in qualifiers to 12 matches. Despite Carolus Andria giving them an early lead, they were unable to secure victory. This followed a heartbreaking last-minute 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in their opening Group A fixture.
Romuald Rakotondrabe’s men last won an AFCON qualifier in 2019 and will be eager to snap their lengthy drought. Madagascar’s standout moment came in 2019 when they made their AFCON debut and surprised many by reaching the quarter-finals. Now, the Barea are hoping to return to the continental stage.
Similarly, Gambia fell short in their last outing, suffering a narrow 2-1 loss to Tunisia. Despite Ali Sowe’s equalizer, a second-half goal from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane condemned them to defeat. Johnny McKinstry’s squad is also struggling, with their last competitive win coming in June when they defeated Seychelles 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.
Both teams have the chance to turn their fortunes around in this first of two back-to-back fixtures between them this month.
Team News
Madagascar’s squad remains largely unchanged from September’s international break, with veteran striker Carolus Andria continuing to lead the line. The 37-year-old scored his 11th international goal against Comoros and will likely start alongside Arnaud Randrianantenaina and Loic Lapoussin in attack. Ibrahim Amada, Johan N’Zi, and Rayan Raveloson should control the midfield.
For Gambia, McKinstry has called up a strong squad, including key players like Musa Barrow, who is expected to feature in attack alongside Yankuba Minteh and Alieu Fadera. Ali Sowe, who netted his debut goal for Gambia against Tunisia, should start up front again. Racing Santander’s Suleiman Camara and Swindon Town’s Saidou Khan are new additions and could make their senior debuts.
Predicted Lineups
Madagascar:
Laiton; Gueguen, Demoleon, Fontaine, Fortun; Raveloson, Amada, N’Zi; Lapoussin, Andria, Randrianantenaina
Gambia:
Sibi; Ceesay, Gomez, Colley, Toura; Darboe, Barry, Barrow; Minteh, Fadera, Sowe
Softfootball Prediction
With both teams evenly matched and desperate for their first Group A win, this game is poised to be a tight contest. However, with neither side in particularly strong form, a draw seems the most likely outcome.
Final score prediction: Madagascar 1-1 Gambia
