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Madagascar and Gambia lock horns at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Friday for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The sides are in Group A alongside Tunisia and Comoros.
Ranked 108th in the world, the Barea are looking for their first win of the campaign. They were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia in their opening match, before a 1-1 draw with the Comoros in the next.
With just one point in the bag, the island side are rock-bottom in the group standings right now, and their progression hopes are in danger. Having made their AFCON debut in 2019, Madagascar are looking to make their second appearance in the finals next year.
Head coach Romuald Rakotondrabe has summoned 26 players for this month's double-header against Gambia, including key forward Njiva Rakotoharimalala, who has 14 goals from 50 caps for the side. There are four uncapped players in the squad too.
On the other hand, Gambia drew 1-1 with the Comoros in their first qualifier before going down 2-1 to Tunisia. By virtue of more goals scored, they sit above Madagascar on the table, but face a tough path ahead in their hopes of a qualification.
The Scorpions have qualified for the last two editions of the AFCON competition, their first pair of appearances in the finals, and dream of making it a hat-trick at next year's Morocco showpiece.
Madagascar vs Gambia Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- Interestingly, this will be the first official clash between the sides in history.
- The Barea have failed to win their last three official games, drawing twice and losing once: 0-0 vs Mali, 1-0 loss vs Tunisia and 1-1 vs Comoros.
- The Scorpions are winless in their last three outings too, but with two losses and a stalemate: 3-2 loss vs Gabon, 1-1 vs Comoros and 2-1 defeat vs Tunisia.
- Madagascar are ranked 108th in the world. Their rivals are 27 places below them.
Madagascar vs Gambia Prediction
Both sides enter the match on a low ebb, having underperformed in their first two qualifying matches, and lack any serious quality within their ranks too. In light of all this, we're going with a low-scoring stalemate here.
Prediction: Madagascar 1-1 Gambia
Madagascar vs Gambia Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
