Barea see off the Coelacanths in Johannesburg

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jun 07, 2024. 20:15

Madagascar moved to the top of Group I in the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this week, as Rayan Raveloson inspired Barea to a 2-1 victory against Comoros at the FNB Stadium on Friday night.

Madagascar were quick out of the blocks and put Comoros under pressure from the very first whistle. Then, in capitalizing on a lapse of concentration on the edge of the Comoros area, Rayan Raveloson was played through on goal, who made no mistake with a calm finish to the goalkeeper’s left.

Despite conceding an early goal, Comoros regained their composure and saw much of the ball during the first 15 minutes of the encounter.

Still 1-0 to Madagascar at the popular FNB Stadium, however, Comoros have been actively searching for an equalizer. With both sides not holding back, a number of lunging tackles were produced, forcing the referee to stop play on a couple of occasions.

The Coelacanths were put under immense pressure en-route to half-time break, however, Barea were unable to make the most of their attacking advancements.

Nonetheless, Madagascar ended the first 45 with their 1-0 lead in tact.

The game reached a tacky period during the first 10 minutes after the restart, with neither side creating any notable goal scoring opportunities going forward.

Following a swift transition move into the Comoros area, Madagascar doubled their advantage shortly after the hour-mark as Raveloson grabbed his second effort of the night. With the Comoros goalkeeper failing to grasp a shot from outside the area, the Madagascar number seven made no mistake in extending his nation’s lead with a poacher’s effort.

In Spite of Madagascar’s dominance during the closing stages of the game, Comoros drew one level with 30 seconds left on the clock, as El Fardou Nabouhane made the most of a defender’s mishap at the far post inside the Barea box.

Then in and instant, Comoros found themselves through on goal but were unable to convert their scoring chance in the dying moments of the game. That said, the referee then looked at his watch before calling time on proceedings at the Calabash.

Madagascar: Laiton, Fontaine, Demoleon, Rebemanantsoa, Fortun (Millimono 72’), Amada ( Rakotondroja 84’), Couturier, Raveloson (Andriamanjato 84’), Andriamatsinoro (Andrianantenaina 72’), Abdallah (Randrianarijaona 19’)

Comoros: Boina, Youssouf (Mahamoud 46’), Bakari, Abdallah (Bourhane 46’), M’Dahoma, Zahary (Nabouhane 71’), M’Changama, R.Abdullah, Selemani, Mohamed (Ahmed 67’), Moalida