Gambia and Madagascar meet again in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after a 1-1 draw just days prior. Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh scored in stoppage time to equalize against Madagascar, who have struggled to maintain leads in recent matches. With both teams seeking crucial points, the upcoming fixture is expected to be tightly contested, with predictions leaning towards another draw.
The fourth game week of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers brings Gambia and Madagascar face to face at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi on Monday afternoon. Their last encounter resulted in a tightly contested 1-1 draw just three days ago, with goals from Yankuba Minteh of Gambia and Clement Couturier of Madagascar both arriving in stoppage time. Gambia, prior to their recent match, had the advantage as they dominated play, registering 22 shots on target. However, it was only in the seventh minute of added time that they managed to find the net through Minteh, after Couturier had initially given Madagascar the lead. The outcome of that match placed additional pressure on Gambia’s coach, Johnny McKinstry, particularly after Comoros achieved an unexpected victory over Tunisia. A loss in this upcoming fixture would hinder Gambia’s chances of qualifying for the next stage of the tournament. Furthermore, due to their home stadium not meeting FIFA standards, Gambia’s matches are played in neutral venues, complicating their home advantage. Despite recent challenges, McKinstry can take solace in the fact that Gambia has been relatively competitive under his guidance, registering just two losses in his brief tenure. Also, they have managed to score in all five matches played since he took over. Madagascar, on the other hand, finds themselves at the bottom of Group A despite showing potential in their matches. Their main issue lies in conceding late goals; they have dropped points after establishing a strong position in all three of their matches in this qualification cycle. The recent match against Tunisia was particularly heart-wrenching, as they allowed a last-minute equalizer amid their struggles. Under coach Romuald Rakotondrabe, Madagascar has displayed improvements in their performance, with fewer losses in key fixtures, although they still need to convert solid performances into tangible results. In team news, Gambia is expected to continue to rely on the talents of Minteh, who has been instrumental in their scoring. There might be a change in the starting lineup as McKinstry considers reintroducing Musa Barrow in place of Muhammed Badamosi after an unremarkable performance. Madagascar’s lineup may see Nicolas Fontaine return to bolster defense, alongside other adjustments to enhance their attacking capabilities. Given their last encounter and both teams’ recent form, this match is forecasted to end in another draw, as both sides seem evenly matched despite Gambia’s prior dominance in possession.
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are crucial matches for teams striving to secure their place in the tournament. Gambia and Madagascar are competing in Group A, and both are eager to improve their standings after recent performances. Gambia, coached by Johnny McKinstry, has shown resilience despite playing at neutral venues. Meanwhile, Madagascar, under coach Romuald Rakotondrabe, has improved in competitiveness, illustrating that they are difficult to defeat, albeit lacking a consistent scoring record. This match represents an important opportunity for both teams to gain vital points in their qualification pursuit.
In summary, the upcoming clash between Gambia and Madagascar promises to be competitive, with both teams seeking to improve their positions in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Gambia demonstrated dominance in their last encounter but struggled to convert possession into goals, while Madagascar continues to need to solidify their defensive capabilities against late-game pressure. A draw appears to be the most likely outcome once again, reflecting the closely matched nature of both teams.
Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
