With twelve days remaining until the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the Ankoay senior men’s team is entering a decisive phase of their preparation. Following the arrival of French coach Mickaël Pivaud and several expatriate players, Madagascar is already facing a pivotal moment for its future during the training sessions scheduled from June 20 to 28.
The training camp for the Ankoay senior men’s team officially began on Saturday with the arrival of players competing abroad. Among them are Mathias M’Madi, Austin Rasolonjatovo, Kiady Razanamahenina, and Rija Lahontan, key elements called upon to bolster a Malagasy squad in search of results.
The preparation program promises to be intense. Since Sunday, the players have begun a week of work alternating between physical conditioning, technical sessions, shooting drills, friendly matches, and video analysis. The camp will continue until the delegation departs for Dakar, where the third qualifying window will take place from July 2 to 5.
A must-win against the DRC
The event in Senegal represents a true turning point for Madagascar. The Ankoay will compete in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the end of this phase, only the top three nations will advance to the second round of qualifiers.
The situation for the Malagasy team is delicate. After the first two windows, Madagascar sits at the bottom of the group with three losses in three games. Under these conditions, every match played in Dakar will carry significant weight. The duel against the Congolese side is already seen as a crucial encounter, with a victory being mandatory. A win could allow the Malagasy team to revive their ambitions, while another setback would severely compromise their chances of continuing their world cup campaign.
Assistant coach Ndranto Rakotonanahary does not hide the scale of the challenge. According to him, Madagascar must absolutely prevail against the DRC with a margin of more than ten points to hope to turn the tide and remain in contention.
The arrival of Mickaël Pivaud thus marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Ankoay. Between the integration of expatriates, the search for team cohesion, and the obligation to deliver results, the Malagasy selection will head to Dakar under maximum pressure. More than just a qualifying window, these three matches could determine the future of Malagasy basketball on the world stage.
Doné Raherinjatovo
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-22 06:30:54 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/basketball-5×5-michael-pivaud-emmene.html