Beaten 62-82 by the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ankoay have already compromised their chances of qualification for the third window.
The mission is already looking nearly impossible for the Malagasy basketball players. Facing the Democratic Republic of Congo for their first match of the second window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the Ankoay (the national team) fell with a decisive score of 62-82 (8-16, 7-27, 30-21, 17-18) in Dakar. A defeat that could have serious consequences for their qualification campaign.
The protégés of Mickaël Pivaud, head coach of the Ankoay, started the match with good intentions. But after six minutes of play, the gap was eight points (8-16), thanks notably to the performances of Mathias M’Madi, Anthony Rasolomanana, and Sitraka Raharimanantoanina. However, the Congolese machine quickly kicked into gear.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point of the game. More athletic, better organized, and above all, more efficient, the Congolese side stifled the Ankoay. Turnovers multiplied for the Malagasy team, while the DRC imposed a blistering pace. The gap grew steadily to twenty points, then thirty. At halftime, the scoreboard showed a severe 43-15 in favor of the Leopards.
The statistics perfectly illustrate the Malagasy struggles. Madagascar scored only seven points in the second quarter compared to twenty-seven for the DRC. Despite a slight recovery after the break, the damage was already done.
Lacks in physical intensity
Upon returning from the locker rooms, the Ankoay showed a different face. More aggressive in defense and more inspired in attack, they closed the gap to thirteen points (38-51) midway through the third quarter. Donovan Rakotonanahary and his teammates tried to revive the suspense, but the Congolese quickly regained control of the game.
The final quarter confirmed the superiority of the DRC. Even though Madagascar competed better, the seventeen-point deficit could never be overcome. The Congolese eventually secured their 82-62 victory, built primarily on their dominance during the first twenty minutes.
“It is a shame to lose against the Congolese. Against Senegal, it will be a match to gain experience. Madagascar has talent but lacks experience at the highest level,” said Mickaël Pivaud. As for Mathias M’Madi, he explained that “the start of the match was very complicated and catastrophic; we tried to come back but the gap had already been created.”
To hope to secure their ticket for the third qualification window, they will need to pull off a miracle against the two giants of the group, Senegal and Ivory Coast. A mission that seems extremely complicated given the performance displayed against the DRC. This defeat particularly highlighted Madagascar’s shortcomings in physical intensity, ball handling, and experience at the top continental level.
By Donné Raherinjatovo
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-03 06:43:18 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/basketball-5×5-world-cup-qualifiers-les.html