Madagascar’s preparations for their crucial fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 8 June have been thrown into disarray following the departure of two senior players amid an escalating dispute over unpaid bonuses.
Midfielders Loïc Lapoussin and Marco Ilaimaharitra have walked out of the national team camp in protest, citing frustrations over the Malagasy Football Federation’s failure to settle appearance bonuses dating back to the November and March international windows.
The withdrawals have plunged the Barea into crisis just days before their FIFA Day qualifier.
The situation has not only exposed long-simmering financial tensions within the federation but also raised concerns over the team’s ability to maintain focus ahead of the match.
Both Lapoussin and Ilaimaharitra have been influential figures in Madagascar’s recent campaigns, and their absence is a significant blow to the squad’s cohesion and competitiveness.
The unrest does not end there. Forwards Hakim Abdallah and Caddy Warren have yet to report to the training camp, further compounding the uncertainty.
According to sources close to the team, additional players are considering withdrawing in solidarity, potentially leaving head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe with a depleted lineup for the high-stakes encounter in Kinshasa.
As of now, the Malagasy Football Federation has not issued an official response to the unfolding crisis.
However, insiders suggest the federation is under growing pressure to resolve the financial impasse before more damage is done to the squad’s morale and structure.
The players’ frustration reflects a deeper malaise affecting Malagasy football, where issues around delayed payments and inadequate support have often overshadowed on-field progress.
For a national side striving to establish itself on the continental stage, the timing of this disruption could not be worse.
The looming clash against DR Congo, a side brimming with talent and currently in solid form, already posed a formidable challenge for Madagascar.
With key personnel missing and squad harmony in jeopardy, the Barea now face an uphill battle—not only on the pitch, but off it as well.
As matchday approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Malagasy authorities can salvage the situation or if a full-blown player exodus will further derail the team’s hopes of a positive result.
