Madagascar national football team

The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea after the island's zebu,[2] is the national team of Madagascar and is controlled by the Malagasy Football Federation. It has never qualified for the finals of the World Cup. It took part in its first Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Among its biggest wins was a 1–0 home victory over Egypt in the qualification rounds of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations until being surpassed by a recent 2–0 win over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Reflecting the official name of the country at the time, the team was known as the Malagasy Republic national football team between 1958 and 1975.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Madagascar women's national football team.

Madagascar
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Barea
AssociationFédération Malagasy de Football
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coachNicolas Dupuis
CaptainAnicet Abel
Most capsPaulin Voavy (67)
Top scorerPaulin Voavy (15)
Home stadiumMahamasina Stadium
Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA codeMAD
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 108 Steady (21 September 2023)[1]
Highest74 (December 1992)
Lowest190 (March 2014)
First international
Madagascar 1–2 Mauritius 
(Madagascar; Date Unknown 1947)
Biggest win
 Madagascar 8–1 Congo 
(Antananarivo, Madagascar; 19 April 1960)
Biggest defeat
 Mauritius 7–0 Madagascar
(Réunion; 31 July 1952)
 Congo-Léopoldville 7–0 Madagascar 
(Congo; 18 July 1965)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2019)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)
African Nations Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2022)
Best resultThird place (2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances11 (first in 2002)
Best resultThird place (2015)
Medal record
African Nations Championship
Bronze medal – third place2022 Algeria
COSAFA Cup
Bronze medal – third place2015 South Africa

History

Madagascar made its debut in 1947 in a home match against Mauritius which was lost 2–1. The game was part of a Triangulaire tournament between Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. Madagascar's second match was at home to Reunion and saw their first ever win, 4–2. The triangular tournament was staged every year until 1958, and Madagascar's highest-scoring game was on 13 July 1953 when they beat Reunion 6–4 at home. Their worst loss was on 31 July 1952 when they lost 7–0 to Mauritius in Reunion.

Madagascar played against opposition different from Mauritius or Reunion for the first time in 1960, as part of a tournament between French-speaking nations held on the island. In their first match on 15 April 1960 they beat the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) 6–1. The second game was a quarter-final against France's amateur side on 17 April and was lost 2–1. On 19 April Madagascar beat the Congo 8–1 in the third-place play-off.

In April 1963, Madagascar entered another competition for French-speaking countries, this time in Senegal, and was placed in a group with Dahomey (now Benin), Liberia and Chad. They opened with a 1–0 win over Dahomey on 11 April, and then beat Chad 2–1 on 13 April and Liberia 3–1 on 15 April. In the semi-finals, Madagascar were beaten 2–1 by Tunisia on 19 April, and then lost 4–1 to France's amateur team in the third-place play-off on 21 April.

In September 1963 the Triangulaire between Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius was reinstated for the first time since 1958. On 15 September they beat Reunion 6–1 at home, and on 18 September drew 1–1 to Mauritius in a home game which was abandoned.[3]

On 16 October 2018, Madagascar qualified to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history, after they won 1–0 against Equatorial Guinea.[4][5] During their debut match against Guinea on 22 June 2019,[6] Anicet Abel scored Madagascar's first-ever AFCON goal and secured their first point of the competition with a 2–2 draw against Guinea.[7][8] The team defeated Burundi in their second match[9] and followed it up with a 2–0 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria to top Group B.[10][11] Then Madagascar advanced to quarter-finals after beating DR Congo in the round of 16.[12] The team's successful performance was coined by pundits as the Iceland of Africa, resembling the shockingly successful debut of Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016.[13] However, Madagascar's dream ended abruptly after suffering a 0–3 defeat at the hand of another former champion, Tunisia.[14]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023
23 March 2023 AFCON qualification Madagascar  0–3  Central African Republic Antananarivo, Madagascar
14:00 UTC+3 Report
  • Ngoma 36'
  • Mafouta 45', 79'
 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
27 March 2023 AFCON qualification Central African Republic  2–0  Madagascar Douala, Cameroun
15:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade de la Réunification
Referee: Issa Mouhamed (Benin)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Madagascar  0–0  Ghana Antananarivo, Madagascar
17:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)
7 September 2023 AFCON qualification Angola  0–0  Madagascar Lubango, Angola
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Estádio Nacional da Tundavala
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
17 October Friendly Madagascar  2–1  Benin
15 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Ghana  v  Madagascar
18 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Chad  v  Madagascar

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against  Ghana on 18 June 2023.[18]

Caps and goals updated after the match against  Central African Republic on 27 March 2023.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Melvin Adrien (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 21 0 France Thonon Evian
1GK Razakanirina Rakotoasimbola (1999-10-14) 14 October 1999 9 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus
1GK Allan Rakotovazaha (1999-10-03) 3 October 1999 0 0 France Cergy Pontoise
2DF Romain Métanire (1990-03-28) 28 March 1990 23 0 Free agent
2DF Tantely Randrianiana (1989-02-13) 13 February 1989 18 0 Madagascar CNaPS Sport
2DF Berajo (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 9 0 Madagascar JET Kintana
2DF Datsiry (1991-06-01) 1 June 1991 5 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus
2DF Théodin Ramanjary (1996-08-16) 16 August 1996 5 0 Réunion Sainte-Suzanne
2DF Fabien Boyer (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 4 0 Réunion Saint-Pierroise
2DF Tantely Avotraniaina Rabarijaona (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 4 0 Madagascar CFFA
2DF Mahavy Tiana Randrianarisoa (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 0 0 Unknown
3MF Dax (1991-04-21) 21 April 1991 24 1 Madagascar Fosa Juniors
3MF Zout (1994-04-22) 22 April 1994 17 0 Moldova Bălți
3MF Jean Romario Baggio Rakotoharisoa (1996-01-24) 24 January 1996 12 0 Réunion Jeanne d'Arc
3MF Lalaina (1998-03-10) 10 March 1998 5 1 Madagascar CFFA
3MF Tendry Mataniah (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 4 0 Madagascar CNaPS Sport
3MF Ando Manoelantsoa (1991-04-06) 6 April 1991 2 0 Réunion Saint-Pierroise
4FW Njiva Rakotoharimalala (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 46 12 Thailand Ratchaburi
4FW Hakim Abdallah (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 12 1 Romania Dinamo București
4FW Tsiry (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 7 2 Madagascar Fosa Juniors
4FW Jean Yves Razafindrakoto (1997-08-16) 16 August 1997 6 2 Madagascar Fosa Juniors
4FW Razafindranaivo Koloina (2000-03-25) 25 March 2000 5 3 Algeria MC Alger
4FW Dorian Bertrand (1993-05-21) 21 May 1993 4 0 Romania Argeș Pitești
4FW Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 0 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus
4FW Toky Rakotondraibe (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 0 0 Unknown

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Madagascar in the last year.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Rajomazandry Andrinirina (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 0 0 Madagascar JET Kintana v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Rajo Razafindrabe (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 18 0 Madagascar Zanak'Ala v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Jérémy Morel (1984-04-02) 2 April 1984 14 1 France Montagnarde v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Sylvio Ouassiero (1994-05-07) 7 May 1994 5 0 Luxembourg F91 Dudelange v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Kenji-Van Boto (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 3 0 France Auxerre v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Ando Rakotondrazaka (1987-09-25) 25 September 1987 30 0 Madagascar Disciples 2022 African Nations Championship
MF Ibrahim Amada (1990-02-28) 28 February 1990 38 3 Saudi Arabia Al-Qadsiah v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
MF Rayan Raveloson (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 23 3 France Auxerre v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
MF Marco Ilaimaharitra (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 19 3 Belgium Charleroi v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
MF Loïc Lapoussin (1996-03-27) 27 March 1996 12 0 Belgium Union SG v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
MF Koloina Razafidranaivo (2000-03-25) 25 March 2000 11 4 Madagascar CFFA v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
FW Julio Donisa (1994-01-15) 15 January 1994 5 1 Romania Argeș Pitești v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
FW Marcio Ravelomanantsoa (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 11 0 Madagascar CFFA 2022 African Nations Championship
FW Onjaniaina Hasinirina (1995-03-30) 30 March 1995 6 0 Madagascar ASSM 2022 African Nations Championship
  • DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary squad.
  • RET Player has retired from international football.
  • SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records
As of 9 September 2023[19]
Players in bold are still active with Madagascar.

Most appearances
Paulin Voavy is Madagascar's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Paulin Voavy67152003–present
2Mamisoa Razafindrakoto6301998–2011
3Gervais Randrianarisoa5202005–present
4Jimmy Radafison4902000–2011
5Njiva Rakotoharimalala48122014–present
6Faneva Imà Andriatsima47142003–2019
Lalaina Nomenjanahary4752006–2021
Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe4701999–2011
9Carolus Andriamatsinoro45112009–present
10Pascal Razakanantenaina4122007–2021

Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Paulin Voavy15670.222003–present
2Faneva Imà Andriatsima14470.32005–2019
3Njiva Rakotoharimalala12480.252014–present
4Harry Randrianaivo11210.521990–2003
Carolus Andriamatsinoro11450.242009–present
5Ruphin Menakely10250.41998–2003
7Sarivahy Vombola8300.272011–2017
Rado Rasoanaivo8400.21992–2003
9Randriatsiferana toky olivier Tsiry6220.272022–present
10Praxis Rabemananjara5160.312001–2008
Lalaina Nomenjanahary5470.112006–2021

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA GR
Uruguay 1930 Part of  France Part of  France
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974 Withdrew Withdrew
Argentina 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
Mexico 1986 2 1 0 1 1 1 details
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 7 3 details
France 1998 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
South Korea Japan 2002 10 3 0 7 7 16 details
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
South Africa 2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
Brazil 2014 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
Russia 2018 4 1 2 1 7 7 details
Qatar 2022 6 1 1 4 4 9 details
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total–0/22–––––– 42139204660–

Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA GR
Sudan 1957Part of  FrancePart of  France
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962Not affiliated to CAFNot affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970
Cameroon 1972 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 5 details
Egypt 1974 2 1 0 1 3 4 details
Ethiopia 1976 Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 6 details
Libya 1982 4 2 1 1 4 7 details
Ivory Coast 1984 4 1 1 2 3 4 details
Egypt 1986 2 0 0 2 2 6 details
Morocco 1988 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
Algeria 1990 Withdrew Withdrew
Senegal 1992 Did not qualify 5 2 2 1 3 2 details
Tunisia 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
South Africa 1996 Withdrew during qualifiers Withdrew during qualifiers
Burkina Faso 1998 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Did not qualify 8 2 3 3 9 12 details
Mali 2002 8 2 2 4 7 8 details
Tunisia 2004 4 2 0 2 2 8 details
Egypt 2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
Ghana 2008 4 0 0 4 0 14 details
Angola 2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
Gabon 2012 6 0 1 5 4 14 details
South Africa 2013 2 0 0 2 1 7 details
Equatorial Guinea 2015 2 1 0 1 2 2 details
Gabon 2017 6 0 3 3 5 12 details
Egypt 2019 Quarter-finals6th522177 8 5 1 2 12 10 details
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 9 details
Ivory Coast 2023 In progress details
Morocco 2025 To be determined To be determined
TotalQuarter-finals1/34522177 8726204189146–

African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship record Africa Nations Championship qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA GR
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not enter Did not enter
Sudan 2011 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 0 2 details
South Africa 2014 Did not enter Did not enter
Rwanda 2016
Kenya 2018 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 6 3 details
Cameroon 2020 4 2 0 2 4 5 details
Algeria 2022 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 9 3 4 3 1 0 6 1 details
TotalThird place1/7540193 169341611–

African Games
African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Republic of the Congo 1965-
Kenya 1987-
Total2/4

Indian Ocean Island Games
Indian Ocean Island Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Réunion 1979 Did not enter
Mauritius 1985 Fourth place 4th 2 1 0 1 2 3
Madagascar 1990 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 12 1
Seychelles 1993 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 10 2
Réunion 1998 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 1 0 10 3
Mauritius 2003 Group stage 5th 2 0 1 1 2 4
Madagascar 2007 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 7 0
Seychelles 2011 Group stage 7th 2 0 1 1 2 3
Réunion 2015 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 6 8
Mauritius 2019 Group stage 5th 2 0 2 0 2 2
Madagascar 2023 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 3
Total 3 Titles 10/11 33 17 10 6 60 29

COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup
YearRoundResultMWDLGFGA
2000 Excluded
2001
2002 Quarter-finals 5th 2 1 1 0 3 2
2003 Quarter-finals 7th 2 1 0 1 2 3
2004 Round 1 11th 1 0 0 1 0 2
2005 Round 1 10th 1 0 0 1 0 2
2006 Round 1 13th 2 0 0 2 0 4
2007 Round 1 8th 2 1 0 1 5 1
South Africa 2008 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 6 7
Zimbabwe 2009 Did not enter
Zambia 2013
South Africa 2015 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 11 7
Namibia 2016 Group stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 1
South Africa 2017 Group stage 9th 3 2 1 0 6 1
South Africa 2018 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 4 4
South Africa 2019 Did not enter
South Africa 2021 Did not enter
South Africa 2022 Quarter-finals 5th 2 0 0 2 4 1
South Africa 2023 Did not enter
Total Third place 12/22 36 14 8 14 42 35

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. Clarel Faniry Rasoanaivo (10 July 2019). "Madagascans elated by AFCON success, eye semi-finals". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  3. Courtney, Barrie. "Madagascar – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. "Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Madagascar qualify for the finals". BBC. 16 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. "Madagascar reaches first African Cup, Egypt also qualifies". The Washington Post. 16 October 2018.
  6. "CAFOnline.com". Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  7. "Business & Financial News, U.S & International Breaking News | Reuters". www.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. "Madagascar earn draw in Afcon debut". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. "Afcon 2019: Burundi won't lose hope after Madagascar defeat, says coach Olivier Niyungeko | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. "Madagascar Stun Nigeria, 2-0, As Debutantes Win AFCON Group B". beIN SPORTS USA. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. "Africa Cup of Nations 2019: The surprise package from Madagascar". Deutsche Welle. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  12. "Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Madagascar stun DR Congo, Algeria ease through". Deutsche Welle. 7 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. Sharuko, Robson (10 July 2019). "Africa: Madagascar's French Armada Reminds Warriors of the British Brigade We Missed". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  14. "Madagascar 0-3 Tunisia: As it happened". 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  15. FIFA.com
  16. FIFA.com
  17. FIFA.com
  18. "Fantaro ny lisitr'ireo mpilalao voaantso handrafitra ny ekipam-pirenena malagasy". Facebook. Fédération Malagasy de Football. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  19. Mamrud, Roberto. "Madagascar - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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