The Malagasy national team began its preparation yesterday in the city of Uyo. The Barea will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their home turf this Friday evening.
Coach Corentin Da Silva Martins’ men have three days to prepare for the first two matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Barea will play only two matches during the international window, which opened on Monday and runs until October 6.
The group of twenty-five players and staff members has been fully assembled in Nigeria since yesterday. Arriving in several waves from Europe, Africa, Reunion Island, and Madagascar, the delegation reached Uyo by Monday.
“The final wave was scheduled to arrive yesterday at 4:10 PM. The team is now complete,” confirmed Alfred Randriamanampisoa, president of the Malagasy Football Federation, reached by phone early yesterday evening.
Corentin Martins’ charges began their preparation yesterday. To kick off this African campaign, the Franco-Portuguese technician has notably called up ten defenders. Madagascar will face Nigeria, the favorite of Group L, in their opening match, with the Nigerians starting the qualifiers at home.
The offensive sector consists of seven players, including newcomer Roman Ferber from FC Atert Bissen in Luxembourg. Six players have also been selected for the midfield.
The Barea will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday at 7:00 PM Malagasy time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo for the first matchday. On the night following the match, the delegation will fly to Morocco to play their second game against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania. This match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at 4:00 PM.
Every match will be decisive, as only one ticket is at stake in groups containing one of the three AFCON 2027 host countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The latter, placed in Madagascar’s group, is already qualified as a host nation.
The other three teams in the group—Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau—must therefore accumulate as many points as possible. Any defeat could seriously compromise their qualification chances.
The third and fourth matchdays are scheduled for a month and a half from now, between November 9 and 17. The fifth and sixth matchdays will take place next year, between March 22 and 30.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-23 05:53:56 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/football-can-2027-les-barea-affutent.html