Madagascar national football team

The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea after the island's zebu,[2] is the national team of Madagascar and is controlled by the Malagasy Football Federation. It has never qualified for the finals of the World Cup. It took part in its first Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Among its biggest wins was a 1–0 home victory over Egypt in the qualification rounds of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations until being surpassed by a recent shocking 2–0 win over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Reflecting the official name of the country at the time, the team was known as the Malagasy Republic national football team between 1958 and 1975.

Madagascar

Nickname(s)	Barea
Association	Malagasy Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Nicolas Dupuis
Captain	Anicet Abel
Most caps	Mamisoa Razafindrakoto (61)
Top scorer	Faneva Imà Andriatsima Paulin Voavy (14)
Home stadium	Mahamasina Stadium Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA code	MAD
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	94 (10 December 2020)[1]
Highest	74 (December 1992)
Lowest	190 (March 2014)
First international
Madagascar 1–2 Mauritius  (Madagascar; c. 1947)
Biggest win
Malagasy Republic 8–1 Congo  (Antananarivo, Madagascar; 19 April 1960)
Biggest defeat
Mauritius 7–0 Madagascar (Réunion; 31 July 1952)  Congo-Léopoldville 7–0 Malagasy Republic (Congo; 18 July 1965)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	1 (first in 2019)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2019)

History

Madagascar made its debut in 1947 in a home match against Mauritius which was lost 2–1. The game was part of a Triangulaire tournament between Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. Madagascar's second match was at home to Reunion and saw their first ever win, 4–2. The triangular tournament was staged every year until 1958, and Madagascar's highest-scoring game was on 13 July 1953 when they beat Reunion 6–4 at home. Their worst loss was on 31 July 1952 when they lost 7–0 to Mauritius in Reunion.

Madagascar played against opposition different from Mauritius or Reunion for the first time in 1960, as part of a tournament between French-speaking nations held on the island. In their first match on 15 April 1960 they beat the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) 6–1. The second game was a quarter-final against France's amateur side on 17 April and was lost 2–1. On 19 April Madagascar beat the Congo 8–1 in the third-place play-off.

In April 1963, Madagascar entered another competition for French-speaking countries, this time in Senegal, and was placed in a group with Dahomey (now Benin), Liberia and Chad. They opened with a 1–0 win over Dahomey on 11 April, and then beat Chad 2–1 on 13 April and Liberia 3–1 on 15 April. In the semi-finals, Madagascar were beaten 2–1 by Tunisia on 19 April, and then lost 4–1 to France's amateur team in the third-place play-off on 21 April.

In September 1963 the Triangulaire between Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius was reinstated for the first time since 1958. On 15 September they beat Reunion 6–1 at home, and on 18 September drew 1–1 to Mauritius in a home game which was abandoned.[3]

On 16 October 2018, Madagascar qualified to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history, after they won 1–0 against Equatorial Guinea.[4][5] During their debut match against Guinea on 22 June 2019,[6] Anicet Abel scored Madagascar's first-ever AFCON goal and secured their first point of the competition with a 2–2 draw against Guinea.[7][8] The team defeated Burundi in their second match[9] and followed it up with a 2–0 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria to top Group B.[10][11] Then Madagascar advanced to quarter-finals after beating DR Congo in the round of 16.[12] The team's successful performance was coined by pundits as the Iceland of Africa, resembling the shockingly successful debut of Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016.[13] However, Madagascar's dream ended abruptly after suffering a 0–3 defeat at the hand of another former champion, Tunisia.[14]

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GR
1930	Did not exist									Did not exist
1934
1938
1950	Did not enter									Did not enter
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974	Withdrew									Withdrew
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	3	4	details
1986										2	1	0	1	1	1	details
1990	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify									4	3	0	1	7	3	details
1998										2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2002										10	3	0	7	7	16	details
2006										2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2010										8	3	3	2	12	9	details
2014										2	1	0	1	2	3	details
2018										4	1	2	1	7	7	details
2022	To be determined									To be determined
2026
Total	–	0/21	–	–	–	–	–	–		36	12	8	16	42	51	–

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record									Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GR
1957	Part of  France								Part of  France
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965	Did not enter								Did not enter
1968
1970
1972	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	5	details
1974									2	1	0	1	3	4	details
1976	Withdrew								Withdrew
1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	6	details
1982									4	2	1	1	4	7	details
1984									4	1	1	2	3	4	details
1986									2	0	0	2	2	6	details
1988									2	1	0	1	2	3	details
1990	Withdrew								Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify								5	2	2	1	3	2	details
1994	Did not enter								Did not enter
1996	Withdrew during qualifiers								Withdrew during qualifiers
1998	Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996								Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996
2000	Did not qualify								8	2	3	3	9	12	details
2002									8	2	2	4	7	8	details
2004									4	2	0	2	2	8	details
2006									2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2008									4	0	0	4	0	14	details
2010									8	3	3	2	12	9	details
2012									6	0	1	5	4	14	details
2013									2	0	0	2	1	7	details
2015									2	1	0	1	2	2	details
2017									6	0	3	3	5	12	details
2019	Quarter-finals	6th	5	3	1	1	7	7	8	5	1	2	12	10	details
2021	To be determined								To be determined
2023	To be determined								To be determined
Total	Quarter-finals	1/32	5	3	1	1	7	7	81	24	18	39	80	137	–

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record									Africa Nations Championship qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GR
2009	Did not enter								Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	0	2	details
2014	Did not enter								Did not enter
2016	Did not enter								Did not enter
2018	Did not qualify								6	3	2	1	6	3	details
2020	Did not qualify								4	2	0	2	4	5	details
2022
Total	–	0/6	–	–	–	–	–	–	12	6	2	4	10	10	–

African Games

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.

African Games record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1965	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1973	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1978	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1987	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1991–present	See Madagascar national under-23 football team
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0

Indian Ocean Island Games

Indian Ocean Island Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1979	Did not enter
1985	Fourth place	4th	2	1	0	1	2	3
1990	Champions	1st	4	3	1	0	12	1
1993	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	10	2
1998	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	1	0	10	3
2003	Group stage	5th	2	0	1	1	2	4
2007	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	2	0	7	0
2011	Group stage	7th	2	0	1	1	2	3
2015	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	6	8
2019	Group stage	5th	2	0	2	0	2	2
Total	2 Titles	8/9	29	14	9	6	53	26

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2000	Excluded
2001
2002	Quarter-finals	5th	2	1	1	0	3	2
2003	Quarter-finals	7th	2	1	0	1	2	3
2004	Round 1	11th	1	0	0	1	0	2
2005	Round 1	10th	1	0	0	1	0	2
2006	Round 1	13th	2	0	0	2	0	4
2007	Round 1	8th	2	1	0	1	5	1
2008	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	6	7
2009	Did not enter
2013
2015	Third place	3rd	6	4	1	1	11	7
2016	Group stage	11th	3	1	1	1	1	1
2017	Group stage	9th	3	2	1	0	6	1
2018	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	4	4
2019	Did not enter
Total	Third place	11/18	34	14	8	12	38	34

Fixtures and results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Ivory Coast on 12 and 17 November 2020.
Caps and goals updated after the match against Ivory Coast on 17 November 2020.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
23	GK	Melvin Adrien	30 August 1993	13	0	FC Martigues
16	GK	Razakanirina Rakotoasimbola	14 October 1999	0	0	AS Adema
1	GK	Mathyas Randriamamy	23 April 2003	0	0	Paris Saint-Germain U-19
5	DF	Pascal Razakanantenaina	19 April 1987	33	2	JS Saint-Pierroise
21	DF	Thomas Fontaine	8 May 1991	25	0	Lorient
22	DF	Jérôme Mombris	27 November 1987	19	0	Grenoble
20	DF	Romain Métanire	28 March 1990	15	0	Minnesota United
14	DF	Jérémy Morel	2 April 1984	12	1	Lorient
3	DF	Sylvio Ouassiero	7 May 1994	3	0	Fola Esch
15	MF	Ibrahim Amada	28 February 1990	25	2	Al-Khor SC
4	MF	Arohasina Andrianarimanana	21 April 1991	21	1	Black Leopards
8	MF	Zotsara Randriambololona	22 April 1994	21	0	Fleury 91
	MF	Anicet Abel (captain)	13 March 1990	17	3	Ludogorets Razgrad
6	MF	Marco Ilaimaharitra	26 July 1995	17	2	Charleroi
18	MF	Rayan Raveloson	16 January 1997	12	2	Troyes
7	MF	Dimitry Caloin	8 May 1990	11	0	Sète
10	MF	Bastien Héry	23 March 1992	3	0	Linfield
17	MF	Loïc Lapoussin	27 March 1996	2	0	Union SG
11	FW	Paulin Voavy	10 November 1987	58	14	Misr Lel Makkasa
12	FW	Lalaïna Nomenjanahary	16 January 1986	47	5	Paris FC
2	FW	Carolus Andriamatsinoro	6 July 1989	39	11	Al Qadsiah
	FW	Njiva Rakotoharimalala	6 August 1992	38	9	Nongbua Pitchaya
19	FW	William Gros	31 March 1992	5	0	Fleury 91
13	FW	Hakim Abdallah	9 January 1998	3	0	Swift Hesperange
9	FW	Alexandre Ramalingom	17 March 1993	2	0	Sedan

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Madagascar in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Ibrahima Dabo	22 July 1992	11	0	JS Saint-Pierroise	v.  Burkina Faso, 12 October 2020
DF	Toavina Rambeloson	26 November 1992	6	0	Croix	v.  Burkina Faso, 12 October 2020
DF	Mario Bakary	21 July 1988	14	0	Fleury 91	v.  Burkina Faso, 12 October 2020
DF	Ando Rakotondrazaka	25 September 1987	21	0	CNaPS Sport	v.  Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
DF	Jean-Claude Marobe	18 June 1993	14	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v.  Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
DF	Theodin	16 August 1996	5	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v.  Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
MF	Maminiaina Safidy Rafenoharisoa	28 August 1994	0	0	Elgeco Plus	v.  Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
FW	Arnaud Randianantenaina	3 January 2001	5	2	CNaPS Sport	v.  Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
^DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

As of 17 November 2020[15]

Players in bold text are still active with Madagascar.

Most Caps # Player Caps Goals Career Ref. 1 Mamisoa Razafindrakoto 61 0 1998–2011 2 Paulin Voavy 55 14 2003– 3 Jimmy Radafison 49 0 2000–2011 Gervais Randrianarisoa 49 0 2005– 5 Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe 47 0 1999–2011 Faneva Imà Andriatsima 47 14 2003–2019 Lalaina Nomenjanahary 47 5 2006– 8 Rado Rasoanaivo 40 8 1992–2003 Tobisoa Njakanirina 40 0 2014– 10 Carolus Andriamatsinoro 39 11 2009–

Top Goalscorers # Player Goals Caps Ratio Career Ref. 1 Faneva Imà Andriatsima 14 47 0.3 2005–2019 Paulin Voavy 14 55 0.25 2003– 3 Harry Randrianaivo 11 21 0.52 1990–2003 Carolus Andriamatsinoro 11 38 0.29 2009– 5 Ruphin Menakely 10 25 0.4 1998–2003 6 Njiva Rakotoharimalala 9 38 0.24 2014– 7 Sarivahy Vombola 8 31 0.26 2015– Rado Rasoanaivo 8 40 0.2 1992–2003 9 Praxis Rabemananjara 5 16 0.31 2001-2008 Lalaina Nomenjanahary 5 47 0.11 2006–

List of coaches

• Peter Schnittger (1978–1985)[16]
• Justin Rasoloharimahefa (1994)
• Claude "Ntsoa" Ravelomanantsoa ( – Feb. 2001)[17]
• Vincent Randriamirado (2001)[18]
• Jeremia Randriambololona (2001)
• Hans Heiniger (2002–2003)
• Hervé Arsène (2007–2008)
• Mickael Nivoson Andrianasy (2008)
• Jeremia Randriambololona (2008)
• Jean-Paul Rabier (2010–2011)
• Mosa (2011)
• Frank Rajaonarisamba (2011–2012)
• Auguste Raux (2012–2014)
• Frank Rajaonarisamba (2014–2016)
• Auguste Raux (2016–2017)
• Nicolas Dupuis (2017–Present)

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
2. Clarel Faniry Rasoanaivo (10 July 2019). "Madagascans elated by AFCON success, eye semi-finals". Reuters. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
3. Madagascar – List of International Matches
4. "Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Madagascar qualify for the finals". BBC. 16 October 2018.
5. "Madagascar reaches first African Cup, Egypt also qualifies". The Washington Post. 16 October 2018.
6. https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/teams/21/
7. https://af.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idAFKCN1TO0A4-OZASP
8. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48645248
9. https://www.goal.com/en/news/afcon-2019-burundi-wont-lose-hope-after-madagascar-defeat/1e6nn40wwv0m51t9h206inrgjb
10. https://www.beinsports.com/us/afcon/video/madagascar-stun-nigeria-2-0-as-debutante-bare/1230711
11. https://www.dw.com/en/africa-cup-of-nations-2019-the-surprise-package-from-madagascar/a-49432873
12. https://www.dw.com/en/africa-cup-of-nations-2019-madagascar-stun-dr-congo-on-penalties/a-49505887
13. https://allafrica.com/stories/201907100768.html
14. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/soccer/afcon-2019-live-madagascar-vs-tunisia-quarter-final/
15. Mamrud, Roberto. "Madagascar - Record International Players". RSSSF.
16. https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=95836/index.html
17. https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=184896/index.html
18. https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=63673/index.html

External links

• Malagasy Football Federation (in Malagasy and French)
• Madagascar national football team picture