The defending champion will not defend its crown in the XXL Energy Top 12 final. Defeated by Cosfa in a suspenseful semi-final, FT Manjakaray leaves the throne vacant.
In a packed stadium with a tense atmosphere at the final whistle, the Club Omnisport des Forces Armées (Cosfa) created a sensation in the XXL Energy Top 12 semi-final yesterday at the Makis Stadium in Andohatapenaka. The military team narrowly defeated FT Manjakaray (30-28), ending the reign of the defending champion.
The suspense remained total until the final minutes. In a highly contested semi-final, Cosfa eventually overcame FT Manjakaray (FTM) after a dramatic turn of events. This victory is particularly significant as it eliminates the title holder and officially opens the battle for succession, positioning the military team as favorites against Uscar, who defeated the Andranomanalina club 37-35.
The match kicked off at 12:56 PM with an intense first half. FT Manjakaray struck first with a penalty in the 6th minute (3-0), but Cosfa responded quickly with a penalty of their own (3-3, 8th minute). Shortly after, FTM capitalized on a defensive error by the military team to score the first try of the match and regain the lead (10-3). Cosfa players remained calm and reduced the gap with another penalty (6-10, 10th minute).
The military team gradually took control. After a missed touch by FT Manjakaray, they scored their first try to take the lead (13-10, 17th minute) and extended it with a drop goal (16-10, 20th minute). Despite a temporary exclusion of Zhinot from Cosfa, the military team maintained their rhythm and scored a second try to lead 21-13. However, FT Manjakaray refused to give up and led 25-21 at halftime.
After the break, the military team showed good intentions, but several turnovers disrupted their start to the second half. FT Manjakaray took advantage to extend the lead via a penalty to 28-21 in the 48th minute.
Cosfa then began a long comeback. A penalty brought the military team to 24-28 in the 57th minute, and another to 27-28 in the 66th. Despite two missed attempts and a turnover in the 72nd minute, Cosfa players kept believing. A final penalty in the 74th minute kept them in contention.
The outcome was decided in the 78th minute. The military team finally took the lead, 30-28, and managed to hold onto this advantage until the final whistle. Cosfa won a hard-fought victory and qualified for the final.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-27 05:54:21 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/rugby-xv-top-12-cosfa-fusille-manjakaray.html