National team coach Corentin Martins announced yesterday the list of twenty-five Barea players who will face the Nigerian Super Eagles and the Tanzanian Taifa Stars during the first two qualifying rounds for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Franco-Portuguese coach has called up two new players. He strengthened the attack by bringing in a number nine, Roman Ferber, who plays for FC Atert Bissen, a Luxembourgish national division club. The 33-year-old, 1.90m tall striker scored 21 goals in 22 matches last season. The coach also called up the 34-year-old ESTAC Troyes goalkeeper, Zacharie Ludovic Boucher, a native of Reunion Island.
Zacharie, who previously played for clubs like Le Havre AC, Toulouse FC, and AJ Auxerre, replaces Blagnac FC goalkeeper Ilam Djaliane. Three local players, Rado Rabemanantsoa, Bono Rabearivelo, and Tony Randriamanampisoa, have retained their spots in the squad.
Madagascar is in Group L and will start their campaign against Nigeria on September 25 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, followed by a match against Tanzania in Morocco on September 29.
The selection of Zacharie Boucher has sparked controversy among Malagasy football fans and former internationals, as he had publicly refused to play for Madagascar eight years ago, stating, “I am French. I have never been Malagasy.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-18 05:53:36 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/football-can-2027-un-gardien-et-un.html