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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group B preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: The group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations are seen displayed on the screen during the draw for the championship, scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019, at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: The group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations are seen displayed on the screen during the draw for the championship, scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019, at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Malagasy players celebrate after scoring a goal against Senegal during their Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifier on September 9, 2018 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. – At least one person was killed and nearly 40 were injured in a stampede ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Sunday in which Madagascar hit back twice to draw 2-2 with Senegal. (Photo by Mamyrael / AFP) (Photo credit should read MAMYRAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Malagasy players celebrate after scoring a goal against Senegal during their Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifier on September 9, 2018 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. – At least one person was killed and nearly 40 were injured in a stampede ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Sunday in which Madagascar hit back twice to draw 2-2 with Senegal. (Photo by Mamyrael / AFP) (Photo credit should read MAMYRAEL/AFP/Getty Images) /

Madagascar

Madagascar are one of three nations making their Africa Cup of Nations debut in Egypt and are the only side who progressed from the preliminary stages of qualifying through to the tournament proper.

Qualification

Having overcome São Tomé and Príncipe in the preliminary stages, the Malagasy were drawn in a qualifying group alongside Equatorial Guinea, Senegal and Sudan. Three wins and a credible draw against the Senegalese in their opening four matches saw them record ten points and in doing so become the first team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

They did however lose their last two matches and leaked a total of eight goals, which was the most by any of the sides who qualified for the tournament. Nonetheless, the nation will be in a celebratory mood after qualifying for its first ever appearance at Africa’s showpiece tournament.

The squad

Nicolas Dupuis’ Madagascar will be the oldest squad at the Africa Cup of Nations with the squad bearing an average age of over 28. Most of the experience comes from the nation’s front-line with the likes of Paulin Voavy and Faneva Andriatsima both over the age of 30 while Belgian-based midfielder Marco Ilaimaharitra and Baggio Rakotoarisoa are the only two U-23 players present in the squad.

Key player: Jeremy Morel

With over 300 Ligue 1 appearances to his name, 35-year old Jeremy Morel is the most experienced player in the Madagascar squad despite having only three international caps to his name. The French-born defender is eligible to represent Madagascar, his father’s nation of birth, and switched allegiance in 2018.

Having played for the likes of Lyon and Marseille, Morel’s experience at the highest level will be invaluable for the Malagasy side and he will play an important role in making sure that the nation does not concede as freely as it did in qualifying.

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