Madagascar keeps most of the squad for AFCON qualifiers

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Nov 02, 2019. 17:00

Madagascar have kept faith with all but five of their squad from the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in mid-year as they named a 24-man selection for the opening two qualifiers of the 2021 tournament in Cameroon.

Coach Nicolas Dupuis, who signed a new contract after his heroics in Egypt, has kept faith with the players that confounded expectation and advanced to the quarter-finals in their maiden appearance at finals.

Madagascar kick off their 2021 qualifying campaign at home to Ethiopia on November 16 and they go onto Niger to play in a second Group K match three days later.

Dupuis has named two new goalkeepers to back-up first choice Melvin Andrien and called up three players from Malagasy champions Fosa Juniors, who take a 2-0 lead into this weekend’s second leg of their African Confederation Cup against Renaissance Berkane of Morocco.

Mario Bakary, who played consistently in the qualifying competition for Egypt but was dropped for the finals, and Jean Yves Razafindrakoto are back in the squad but it is a first call-up for Theodin Ramanjary.

There is also a recall for the English-sounding Henry Charles Gladyson, the striker who play his club football on the neighbouring island of Reunion. He comes in place of French-based William Gros, who was a surprise called up for Egypt from French amateur football but did not meet expectations.

The 35-year-old Jeremy Morel has decided to continue with his international football adventure.

The French-born defender, whose career has taken in lengthy stints at Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais only agreed to play for Madagascar last year.

His acquiescence came at the age of 34 but in Egypt he was injured and only played a bit part for the Barea, so would like to continue with the national team.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Melvin Andrien (Martigues, France), Andrianirina Rajomazandry (Jet Mada Itasy), Razakanirina Rakotohasimbola (AS Adema)

Defenders: Mario Bakary (Fosa Juniors), Thomas Fontaine (Lorient, France), Romain Metanire (Minnesota United, USA), Jerome Mombris (Grenoble, France), Jeremy Morel (Stade Rennes, France), Theodin Ramanjary (Fosa Juniors), Pascal Razakanantenaina (Arras, France)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Amada (Al Khor, Qatar), Anicet Andrianantenaina (Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria), Andriamiraldo Andrianarimanana (Black Leopards, South Africa), Dimitry Caloin (FC Villegranche-Beaujolais, France), Marco Ilaimaharitra (Charleroi, Belgium), Lalaina Nomenjanahary (Paris FC, France), Rayan Raveloson (Troyes, France), Jean Rakotoharisoa, Jean Yves Razafindrakoto (both Fosa Juniors)

Forwards: Carolus Andriamahitsinoro (Al Aldalh, Saudi Arabia), Faneva Ima Andriatsima (Abha, Saudi Arabia), Henry Charles Gladyson (US Saint Marienne, Reunion), Njiva Rakotoharimalala (US Fleury, France), Paulin Voavy (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt).