Madagascar out to pull clear in Group A

by BackPageTXT

Monday Jun 13, 2016. 09:08

Madagascar know victory over Zimbabwe on Monday evening could book their spot in the knockout stages of the 2016 Cosafa Castle Cup.

The Malagasy got their campaign off to a winning start, beating fellow Island nation the Seychelles 1-0 courtesy of a first-half goal from Claudel Fanomenza on Saturday.

Having recorded their best ever showing at last year's tournament in South Africa, Madagascar reappointed Frenchman Auguste Raux but a few days before the showpiece was set to kick-off in Namibia.

The decision follows a poor run of form for Madagascar who lost 6-1 on home soil to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Malagasy faithful will be hoping the result was a mere hiccup as they have been tipped as one of the up and coming football nations on the continent.

Madagascar finished third at the 2015 showpiece, notably beating guest nation Ghana and Botswana to claim the bronze medal.

The Warriors, though, will be favourites heading into the Group A clash, this despite them only boasting one player who plies his club football outside Zimbabwe.

Callisto Pasuwa decided not to call on the stars that that booked their place at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon, choosing rather to blood local talent.

Having come from a goal down on two occasions in a 2-2 stalemate against Swaziland in the tournament opener, Pasuwa will be hoping his team brush aside Madagascar as they eye a record fifth Cosafa Cup title.

Kick-off at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek is scheduled for 20h30 CAT.