Madagascar’s basketball scene is preparing for its biggest event of the year. From September 24 to October 4, 2026, the Palais des Sports de Mahamasina in Antananarivo will host the final phase of the N1A National Championship for senior men and women. After months of competition across various regions, the country’s top teams will gather in the capital to vie for the title of Champion of Madagascar.
Both the men’s and women’s defending champions, COSPN and GNBC respectively, will face intense pressure as they defend their crowns against competitors who have already demonstrated their ambitions during the preliminary phases.
The road to the Mahamasina finals passed through Antsirabe and Mahajanga. The Vatofotsy Gymnasium in Antsirabe hosted Group A matches from April 11 to 19. JEA Vakinankaratra triumphed in the women’s category, while GNBC Analamanga won the men’s competition. Tojotiana (known as Fafah) from JEA and Olivier from GNBC were named MVPs. Basilisy Razafimahatratra of Ankaratra Vakinankaratra finished as the top female scorer with 91 points, while Jino Tsialefitra of MBC Atsinanana led the men’s scorers with 169 points.
The Ampisikina Sports Complex in Mahajanga subsequently hosted Group B from April 25 to May 3. GNBC confirmed its strength in the women’s category, and COSPN did the same for the men. Tokin’Iaina Sambatrarimiora, MVP and top female scorer with 111 points, and Marco Rakotovao, the men’s MVP, stood out significantly. Pierros Judy Bezara Razanavah of RBC Boeny finished as the top male scorer with 105 points.
In Mahamasina, the stakes are different as every club shares the same goal: to dethrone the two defending champions. Eli Michael Rakotonindrina, coach of the GNBC women’s team, shared his thoughts: ‘It will be a very difficult battle because every team is determined to block the path of the defending champion. We will strive to live up to our status as title holders.’
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-11 05:39:09 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/basketball-5×5-n1a-le-cospn-et-la-gnbc.html