Madagascar are set to take on Group A leaders Tunisia in a critical Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match on Thursday evening, with their hopes of reaching the tournament in Morocco hanging by a thread. The match will kick off at 18:00 CAT at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, a neutral venue as Madagascar does not have a CAF-approved stadium to host the game.
As the designated “home” team, Madagascar, also known as “Barea,” have yet to secure a win in their qualifying campaign, placing head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe under pressure.
Their path to Morocco remains highly uncertain, with any loss potentially sealing their elimination. Adding to the challenge, if Comoros defeat Gambia in the group’s other match, Madagascar’s chances of reaching the tournament will become even slimmer.
This pivotal fixture comes at a difficult time for the Barea, who have endured a five-game winless streak across all competitions.
The last time Madagascar qualified for the AFCON tournament was in 2019, where they made an impressive run to the quarter-finals.
However, they have struggled to replicate that success in the current qualifiers, casting doubt over their ability to make it back to the continental stage.
Tunisia, in contrast, lead Group A and have already demonstrated their strength throughout the campaign.
The North African giants have proven consistent, aiming to secure maximum points against Madagascar before their upcoming clash with Gambia on 18 November.
A win would allow Tunisia to further consolidate their lead, making them the favorites to progress from the group.
For Madagascar, Thursday’s match offers a last chance to keep their qualification dreams alive.
Despite the pressure, head coach Rakotondrabe remains determined to push his team to the limit, hoping they can rise to the occasion and challenge a formidable Tunisian side.
However, the Barea will need to improve across the board, particularly in attack, if they are to pose a genuine threat.
As both teams prepare for what promises to be a highly competitive encounter, the stakes are clear.
Tunisia are looking to reinforce their position at the top of the standings, while Madagascar must win to stave off elimination.
This AFCON qualifier is set to be a defining moment in Group A, as each side battles for its place in Africa’s premier football tournament.
