In an eagerly anticipated clash, Madagascar and Gambia are set to face off at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in their quest for a first win in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this Friday.
Romuald Rakotondrabe’s side has been on a tough run, failing to secure a victory in any of their last 12 AFCON qualifying matches since November 2019. As they head into the weekend’s match, the team will be looking to put an end to this dry spell.
The disappointing streak continued for Madagascar with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Tunisia in their Group A opener on September 5. Ferjani Sassi’s goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time saw the Eagles of Carthage snatch a last-gasp victory on home soil.
Madagascar will be aiming to bounce back from their recent setbacks and secure a spot in the AFCON tournament, having last appeared in 2019 when they reached the quarter-finals before succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Tunisia.
On the other hand, Gambia also suffered a setback in their AFCON qualifying campaign, falling 2-1 to Tunisia in their previous match. Despite Ali Sowe’s debut goal leveling the score at halftime, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane’s strike sealed victory for Tunisia in the 75th minute.
Gambia’s lone victory during this period came on June 8, when they defeated Seychelles 5-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, their overall performance in the qualifiers has been lackluster, managing only three points from four games and currently sitting in fifth place in Group F.
The upcoming clash between Madagascar and Gambia promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams seek to kickstart their AFCON qualifying campaigns with a crucial win. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting encounter at the Stade Larbi Zaouli on Friday.