Madagascar make history with AFCON qualification

Andrianarimanana Andriamirado Aro Hasina of Madagascar during the 2018 COSAFA match between Madagascar and Mozambique at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane on 27 May 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Oct 16, 2018. 16:01

Madagascar have qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after they defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at the Vontovorona Stadium in Antananarivo on Tuesday afternoon.

Njiva Rakotoharimalala struck the decisive goal late in the second half and Barea were able to hold out for the victory, thus guaranteeing them a place in the 2019 finals in Cameroon next year – a landmark achievement for Malagasay football.

The win moves the island side to the top of the pool on 10 points – three clear of second-placed Senegal, who will look to reclaim pole position [and secure their own berth at the tournament] when they play Sudan in Khartoum this evening.

Madagascar’s victory sees them complete a ‘double’ over Nzalang Nacional, having also won 1-0 when the teams met in Bata on Saturday. On that occasion, Faneva Ima Andriatsima scored the only goal.

The teams will return to Group A action in the qualifiers next month, with Madagascar at home to Sudan and Equatorial Guinea hosting Senegal.