Gambia and Madagascar meet again in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi after a recent 1-1 draw. Gambia, needing a win to secure their chances of advancement, showed dominant play in their last meeting but failed to score until late in the match. Conversely, Madagascar has faced challenges securing points despite recent improvements under management. Both teams are expected to field competitive lineups leading to predictions of another draw.
The upcoming match in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers features Gambia hosting Madagascar at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi on Monday afternoon. This match follows their previous encounter three days prior, which ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams scoring in stoppage time. Gambia, led by coach Johnny McKinstry, entered the last match as slight favorites and displayed superior control throughout the game, registering 22 shots on target. However, victory eluded them until the seventh minute of additional time, when Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion scored, canceling out Clement Couturier’s goal from the first half stoppage time. The result made it imperative for Gambia to secure a win against Madagascar, especially considering Comoros’s win over Tunisia, which adds pressure on Gambia to perform well in their remaining group matches. Complicating matters, Gambia is forced to conduct its home matches in neutral locations due to FIFA compliance issues with their local stadiums. Despite this, McKinstry’s tenure has shown promise, with Gambia only losing to Gabon and Tunisia in six matches since his arrival, scoring in all of those games. On the other hand, Madagascar remains at the bottom of the table. The team has shown resilience under management from Romuald Rakotondrabe, despite their record of dropping points from advantageous positions, including two heartbreaks in stoppage time during their recent fixtures. Their overall performance has improved recently, evidenced by only three losses in the last ten games against strong opponents. For this forthcoming fixture, Gambia is expected to rely on Minteh, who has been instrumental in their attacking plays. McKinstry may also consider reinstating Musa Barrow to the starting lineup following a lackluster display in the previous match. Madagascar is anticipated to welcome back Nicolas Fontaine to solidify their defense, integrating some players who demonstrated promise in prior games. In summary, both teams have shown their strengths and vulnerabilities, leading to a prediction of another draw: Gambia 1-1 Madagascar.
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are pivotal matches for national teams vying for a spot in the prestigious tournament. Gambia and Madagascar are two teams in Group A, and their performance in these qualifiers greatly impacts their chances of advancing. The stakes are particularly high for Gambia, who have shown potential despite the challenges posed by playing in neutral venues. Madagascar, while struggling to secure points, has demonstrated a capacity to compete despite setbacks, and their recent form under new management suggests a competitive match is in the offing.
The upcoming match between Gambia and Madagascar is expected to be closely contested, reflecting both teams’ strategies and recent performances. Gambia will aim to capitalize on their momentum from the last match and their offensive capabilities led by Minteh, while Madagascar will seek to overcome their recent misfortunes and demonstrate their improved form. A draw appears a likely outcome given the tactical outlook and the resilience displayed by both sides.
Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
