The clash between GNBC and COSPN felt like a final before the actual final on Saturday at the Palais des Sports in Mahamasina. As the 2025 vice-champions of Madagascar, the National Gendarmerie team sought revenge after their previous final defeat against the police team. They succeeded after forty minutes of intense play, winning 64-57.
From the start, GNBC imposed their rhythm. More aggressive in duels and more efficient, the gendarmes quickly took control of the match. They delivered a solid first quarter, leaving little space for COSPN, leading 18-6 after ten minutes.
COSPN tried to react before the break, but GNBC maintained their lead. At halftime, six points still separated the two teams: 29-23. However, the police team had not said their last word.
Returning from the locker rooms, the scenario reversed. COSPN increased their intensity and took advantage of GNBC’s difficulties to gradually close the gap. The police team even took the lead at the end of the third quarter, 43-40. The final period promised to be uncertain.
Both teams traded blows. The score went to 50-50, then 55-55. While the match could have swung either way, GNBC made the difference in the final minutes.
With three minutes left, the gendarmes inflicted a 6-0 run on their opponents to regain the lead, 62-56. COSPN reduced the gap to 62-57, but a final basket sealed the victory for GNBC, 64-57.
The fourth day, played on Sunday, brought its share of surprises. The day after their victory against COSPN, GNBC fell to RBC Boeny, 80-92. This result illustrates the difficulty for teams to maintain their performance level from one match to the next.
For their part, COSPN suffered a second consecutive defeat. The police team lost by one point to MBC Atsinanana, 76-77, in a tight encounter. “The championship is not over yet and everything is still possible,” said Livio Ratianarivo, a COSPN player.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-28 05:38:55 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/basketball-n1a-hommes-la-gnbc-prend-sa.html