Madagascar national football team

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
Association	Malagasy Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Nicolas Dupuis
Captain	Anicet Abel
Most caps	Mamisoa Razafindrakoto (59)
Top scorer	Faneva Andriatsima (14)
Home stadium	Mahamasina Stadium Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA code	MAD
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	105 1 (18 July 2024)
Highest	74 (December 1992)
Lowest	190 (March 2014)
First international
Madagascar 1–2 Mauritius (Madagascar; c. 1947)
Biggest win
Malagasy Republic 8–1 Congo (Antananarivo, Madagascar; 19 April 1960)
Biggest defeat
Mauritius 7–0 Madagascar (Réunion; 31 July 1952) Congo-Léopoldville 7–0 Malagasy Republic (Congo; 18 July 1965)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	1 (first in 2019)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2019)

The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea after the island's zebu, 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 shocking 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.

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.

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. During their debut match against Guinea on 22 June 2019, Anicet Abel scored Madagascar's first-ever AFCON goal and secured their first point of the competition with a 2–2 draw against Guinea. The team defeated Burundi in their second match and followed it up with a 2–0 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria to top Group B. Then Madagascar advanced to quarter-finals after beating DR Congo in the round of 16. 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. However, Madagascar's dream ended abruptly after suffering a 0–3 defeat at the hand of another former champion, Tunisia.

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
1930	Did not exist									Did not exist
1934
1938
1950	Did not enter									Did not enter
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974	Withdrew									Withdrew
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	3	4	details
1986										2	1	0	1	1	1	details
1990	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify									4	3	0	1	7	3	details
1998										2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2002										10	3	0	7	7	16	details
2006										2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2010										8	3	3	2	12	9	details
2014										2	1	0	1	2	3	details
2018										4	1	2	1	7	7	details
2022	To be determined									To be determined
2026
Total	–	0/21	–	–	–	–	–	–		36	12	8	16	42	51	–

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
1957	Part of France								Part of France
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965	Did not enter								Did not enter
1968
1970
1972	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	5	details
1974									2	1	0	1	3	4	details
1976	Withdrew								Withdrew
1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	6	details
1982									4	2	1	1	4	7	details
1984									4	1	1	2	3	4	details
1986									2	0	0	2	2	6	details
1988									2	1	0	1	2	3	details
1990	Withdrew								Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify								5	2	2	1	3	2	details
1994	Did not enter								Did not enter
1996	Withdrew during qualifiers								Withdrew during qualifiers
1998	Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996								Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996
2000	Did not qualify								8	2	3	3	9	12	details
2002									8	2	2	4	7	8	details
2004									4	2	0	2	2	8	details
2006									2	0	1	1	3	4	details
2008									4	0	0	4	0	14	details
2010									8	3	3	2	12	9	details
2012									6	0	1	5	4	14	details
2013									2	0	0	2	1	7	details
2015									2	1	0	1	2	2	details
2017									6	0	3	3	5	12	details
2019	Quarter-finals	6th	5	3	1	1	7	7	8	5	1	2	12	10	details
2021	To be determined								To be determined
2023	To be determined								To be determined
Total	Quarter-finals	1/32	5	3	1	1	7	7	81	24	18	39	80	137	–

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
2009	Did not enter								Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	0	2	details
2014	Did not enter								Did not enter
2016	Did not enter								Did not enter
2018	Did not qualify								6	3	2	1	6	3	details
2020	Did not qualify								4	2	0	2	4	5	details
2022
Total	–	0/6	–	–	–	–	–	–	12	6	2	4	10	10	–

African Games

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.

See also: Madagascar national under-23 football team

African Games record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1965	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1973	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1978	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1987	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1991–present	See Madagascar national under-23 football team
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0

Indian Ocean Island Games

Indian Ocean Island Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1979	Did not enter
1985	Fourth place	4th	2	1	0	1	2	3
1990	Champions	1st	4	3	1	0	12	1
1993	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	10	2
1998	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	1	0	10	3
2003	Group stage	5th	2	0	1	1	2	4
2007	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	2	0	7	0
2011	Group stage	7th	2	0	1	1	2	3
2015	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	6	8
2019	Group stage	5th	2	0	2	0	2	2
Total	2 Titles	8/9	29	14	9	6	53	26

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
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
2008	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	6	7
2009	Did not enter
2013
2015	Third place	3rd	6	4	1	1	11	7
2016	Group stage	11th	3	1	1	1	1	1
2017	Group stage	9th	3	2	1	0	6	1
2018	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	4	4
2019	Did not enter
Total	Third place	11/18	34	14	8	12	38	34

Fixtures and results

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

2019

Guinea v Madagascar

22 June 2019 AFCON	Guinea	2–2	Madagascar	Alexandria, Egypt
22:00 (UTC+2)	Kaba 34' Kamano 66'	Report	Abel 49' Andriamatsinoro 55'	Stadium: Alexandria Stadium Attendance: 5,342 Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)

Madagascar v Burundi

27 June 2019 AFCON	Madagascar	1–0	Burundi	Alexandria, Egypt
16:30 (UTC+2)	Ilaimaharitra 76'	Report		Stadium: Alexandria Stadium Referee: Guirat Hythem (Tunisia)

Madagascar v Nigeria

30 June 2019 AFCON	Madagascar	2–0	Nigeria	Alexandria, Egypt
18:00 (UTC+2)	Nomenjanahary 13' Andriamatsinoro 53'	Report		Stadium: Alexandria Stadium Referee: Bakary Gassama (Gambia)

Madagascar v DR Congo

7 July 2019 AFCON	Madagascar	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p)	DR Congo	Alexandria, Egypt
18:00 (UTC+2)	Amada 9' Andriatsima 77'	Report	Bakambu 21' Mbemba 90'	Stadium: Alexandria Stadium Referee: Noureddine El Jaafari (Morocco)
	Penalties
	Amada Métanire Fontaine Mombris		Tisserand Bakambu M'Poku Bolasie

Madagascar v Tunisia

11 July 2019 AFCON	Madagascar	0–3	Tunisia	Cairo, Egypt
21:00 (UTC+2)		Report	Sassi 52' Msakni 60' Sliti 90+3'	Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Sidi Alioum (Cameroon)

Madagascar v Ethiopia

16 November 2021 AFCONQ	Madagascar	1–0	Ethiopia	Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3	Raveloson 18'			Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Niger v Madagascar

19 November 2021 AFCONQ	Niger	2–6	Madagascar	Niamey, Niger
17:00 UTC+1	Wonkoye 6' Moussa 77'		Nomenjanahary 10', 27' Anicet 35' (pen.) Andriamatsinoro 38' Voavy 54' Morel 65'	Stadium: Stade Général Seyni Kountché

Records

As of 11 January 2020

Players in bold text are still active with Madagascar.

Most Caps

#	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Mamisoa Razafindrakoto	59	0	1998–2011
2	Paulin Voavy	54	13	2003–
3	Gervais Randrianarisoa	49	0	2005–
4	Jimmy Radafison	47	0	2000–2011
4	Faneva Imà Andriatsima	47	14	2005–2019
5	Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe	44	0	1999–2011
5	Lalaina Nomenjanahary	44	5	2006–
6	Tobisoa Njakanirina	40	0	2014–
7	Jean Chrysostome Raharison	39	0	2001–2015
8	Rado Rasoanaivo	38	7	1992–2003
8	Jean Dieu-Donné Randrianasolo	38	0	2011–
8	Njiva Rakotoharimalala	38	9	2014–
9	Carolus Andriamatsinoro	37	11	2009–
10	Harry Randrianaivo	34	12	1990–2003
10	Dominique Rakotonandrasana	34	0	1992–2003

Top Goalscorers

#	Player	Goals	Caps	Career
1	Faneva Imà Andriatsima	14	47	2005–2019
2	Paulin Voavy	13	54	2003–
3	Harry Randrianaivo	12	34	1990–2003
4	Ruphin Menakely	11	24	1998–2003
4	Carolus Andriamatsinoro	11	37	2009–
5	Njiva Rakotoharimalala	9	38	2014–
6	Sarivahy Vombola	8	28	2015–
7	Rado Rasoanaivo	7	38	1992–2003
8	Praxis Rabemananjara	6	13	2001-2008
9	Lalaina Nomenjanahary	5	44	2006–
10	Yvan Rajoarimanana	4	13	2008-
10	Jimmy Simouri	4	21	2011-
10	Rhino Randriamanjaka	4	9	2015-

statistics are provided from the following sources.

Current squad

for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Ivory Coast on 27 March 2020 and on 31 March 2020.
Caps and goals updated after the match against Niger on 19 November 2019.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ibrahima Dabo	(1992-07-22) 22 July 1992	10	0	JS Saint-Pierroise
23	1GK	Melvin Adrien	(1993-08-30) 30 August 1993	11	0	FC Martigues
17	2DF	Theodin	(1996-08-16) 16 August 1996	5	0	Fosa Juniors FC
21	2DF	Thomas Fontaine	(1991-05-08) 8 May 1991	21	0	FC Lorient
22	2DF	Jérôme Mombris	(1987-11-27) 27 November 1987	17	0	Grenoble
20	2DF	Romain Métanire	(1990-03-28) 28 March 1990	13	0	Minnesota United
5	2DF	Pascal Razakanantenaina	(1987-04-19) 19 April 1987	32	2	US Stade Tamponnaise
14	2DF	Jérémy Morel	(1984-04-02) 2 April 1984	8	1	Rennes
	2DF	Jean-Claude Marobe	(1993-06-18) 18 June 1993	14	0	Fosa Juniors FC
4	2DF	Ando Rakotondrazaka	(1987-09-25) 25 September 1987	21	0	CNaPS Sport
13	3MF	Anicet Abel (captain)	(1990-03-13) 13 March 1990	17	3	Ludogorets Razgrad
15	3MF	Ibrahim Amada	(1990-02-28) 28 February 1990	23	1	Al-Khor SC
7	3MF	Dimitry Caloin	(1990-05-08) 8 May 1990	9	0	Free Agent
	3MF	Bastien Héry	(1992-03-23) 23 March 1992	0	0	Linfield
6	3MF	Marco Ilaimaharitra	(1995-07-26) 26 July 1995	13	1	Charleroi
18	3MF	Rayan Raveloson	(1997-01-16) 16 January 1997	8	2	Troyes
	3MF	Maminiaina Safidy Rafenoharisoa	(1994-08-28) 28 August 1994	0	0	Elgeco Plus
2	4FW	Carolus Andriamatsinoro	(1989-07-06) 6 July 1989	37	11	Al-Adalah
12	4FW	Lalaina Nomenjanahary	(1986-01-16) 16 January 1986	44	5	Paris FC
11	4FW	Paulin Voavy	(1987-11-10) 10 November 1987	54	13	Misr Lel Makkasa
19	4FW	William Gros	(1992-03-31) 31 March 1992	3	0	Vitré
	4FW	Alexandre Ramalingom	(1993-03-17) 17 March 1993	0	0	Virton
9	4FW	Arnaud Randianantenaina	(2001-01-03) 3 January 2001	5	2	CNaPS Sport
	4FW	Hakim Djamel Abdallah	(1998-01-09) 9 January 1998	0	0	FC Nantes(rés)

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Madagascar.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Razakanirina Rakotoasimbola	(1992-07-22) 22 July 1992	0	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v. Ivory Coast, 31 March 2020
GK	Andrianirina Rajomazandry	(1994-03-09) 9 March 1994	1	0	AS Adema	v. Ethiopia, 16 November 2019
GK	Fabrice Andriantsilavina	(1994-09-03) 3 September 1994	0	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v. Ethiopia, 16 November 2019
GK	Jean Dieu-Donné Randrianasolo	(1989-05-26) 26 May 1989	38	0	CNaPS Sport	v. Mozambique, 4 August 2019
DF	Mario Bakary	(1988-07-21) 21 July 1988	13	0	Fleury 91	v. Niger, 19 November 2019
DF	Gervais Randrianarisoa	(1984-11-07) 7 November 1984	49	0	JS Saint-Pierroise	2019 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Toavina Rambeloson	(1992-11-26) 26 November 1992	5	0	Arras Football	2019 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Arohasina Andrianarimanana	(1991-04-21) 21 April 1991	21	1	Black Leopards	v. Niger, 19 November 2019
MF	Romario Baggio	(1996-01-24) 24 January 1996	17	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v. Niger, 19 November 2019
FW	Njiva Rakotoharimalala	(1992-08-06) 6 August 1992	38	9	Nongbua Pitchaya	v. Niger, 19 November 2019
FW	Faneva Imà Andriatsima (captain RET)	(1984-06-03) 3 June 1984	47	14	Al-Fayha	v. Ethiopia, 16 November 2019
FW	Jean Yves Razafindrakoto	(1997-08-16) 16 August 1997	2	0	Fosa Juniors FC	v. Ethiopia, 16 November 2019
FW	Rinjala Raherinaivo	(1998-05-25) 25 May 1998	12	2	Fosa Juniors FC	v. Seychelles, 20 July 2019
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.

List of coaches

• Peter Schnittger (1978–1985)
• Justin Rasoloharimahefa (1994)
• Claude "Ntsoa" Ravelomanantsoa ( – Feb. 2001)
• Vincent Randriamirado (2001)
• Jeremia Randriambololona (2001)
• Hans Heiniger (2002–2003)
• Hervé Arsène (2007–2008)
• Mickael Nivoson Andrianasy (2008)
• Jeremia Randriambololona (2008)
• Jean-Paul Rabier (2010–2011)
• Mosa (2011)
• Frank Rajaonarisamba (2011–2012)
• Auguste Raux (2012–2014)
• Frank Rajaonarisamba (2014–2016)
• Auguste Raux (2016–2017)
• Nicolas Dupuis (2017–Present)

External links

• Malagasy Football Federation (in Malagasy and French)
• Madagascar national football team picture