Madagascar began their preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with a frustrating 3–3 draw against Luxembourg on Sunday, a result that left Nicolas Dupuis’ side with mixed feelings after a match they seemed to have under control. It was the Barea’s first friendly encounter on the road to the continental tournament, and while there were encouraging attacking signs, the defensive lapses late in the game will give the coaching staff plenty to reflect on.
The match got off to the worst possible start for Madagascar. Luxembourg struck almost immediately, opening the scoring in just the 2nd minute and catching the Barea cold. The early goal disrupted Madagascar’s rhythm and forced them to chase the game from the outset. For several minutes, Luxembourg looked comfortable, circulating the ball well and testing Madagascar’s organization, which appeared shaky in the opening exchanges.
However, Dupuis’ men gradually found their footing and began to impose themselves physically and technically. Their response was swift and impressive. In the space of just two minutes, Madagascar completely turned the match on its head. Voavy restored parity in the 35th minute, finishing off a well-constructed move to make it 1–1. Before Luxembourg had time to reorganize, Andryatsima struck in the 37th minute, giving Madagascar a 2–1 lead and injecting confidence into the side just before halftime.
Buoyed by the quick turnaround, Madagascar returned from the break with renewed ambition. They pressed higher, showed more intensity in midfield, and looked sharper in the final third. Their dominance was rewarded in the 62nd minute when Carolus found the net, extending the lead to 3–1. At that point, the Barea seemed firmly in control. Their attacking transitions were fluid, and they were finding spaces between the lines, suggesting that the team’s offensive mechanisms are already taking shape ahead of the AFCON.
Yet, this apparent comfort proved deceptive. As the match entered its final phase, Madagascar’s concentration dropped. The defensive block lost its compactness, duels were approached with less urgency, and Luxembourg gradually grew back into the contest. Believing perhaps that the job was already done, the Barea paid the price. Luxembourg capitalized on the lapses, scoring twice in the closing moments to snatch an unlikely equalizer and level the match at 3–3.
The late goals were a harsh reminder that friendly matches, especially in preparation for a major tournament, demand focus from the first minute to the last. While Madagascar’s attacking display and ability to respond to adversity will be viewed positively, conceding two goals at the end of the game exposed weaknesses that must be addressed quickly if the Barea are to be competitive at the Africa Cup of Nations.
For Nicolas Dupuis, this opening friendly offers a valuable diagnostic tool. It highlighted both the potential within his squad and the areas requiring urgent improvement, particularly in game management and defensive concentration. Madagascar will have an immediate opportunity to make adjustments, as their next preparation match is scheduled against Kenya in France, another important test on their road to AFCON 2019.
