‘Madagascar not afraid of star-studded Nigeria’

Turkey-based Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson. Photo: ESPN

Turkey-based Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson says the Barea are not intimidated by the Super Eagles ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Nigeria in Uyo on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Raveloson and his teammates arrived in Nigeria on Monday, settling in ahead of the star-studded hosts, who began arriving on Tuesday.

Nigeria will be without striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out with an injury, but Raveloson, who plays for Amedspor in the Turkish Super Lig, insists Madagascar are not scared of facing Nigeria, regardless of the big names in the Eagles squad.

“Osimhen is a big player and everyone knows him. We are not scared. It’s football and they are humans like us. Everyone wants to win, but sometimes you have to lose to learn,” he told Football Temple.

Madagascar, ranked 104th in the latest FIFA rankings, have a squad comprising largely players based in European lower divisions and African leagues.

The Barea will hope to carry the momentum from their recent run at the African Nations Championship, where they reached the final, into their AFCON qualifying campaign.

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They are seeking to qualify for only their second AFCON tournament after making their debut in 2019, when they reached the quarter-finals in a memorable campaign.

They also recorded a famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 tournament in Egypt.

In their previous meeting in AFCON qualifying, Nigeria defeated Madagascar home and away during the qualifying series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, although the Eagles ultimately failed to qualify for the tournament.

The Madagascar Football Federation appointed Corentin Martins as head coach in January 2025, with qualification for the 2027 AFCON among his key objectives.

After facing Nigeria on Friday, Madagascar will take on Tanzania next week, giving Martins and his players little recovery time between their opening two matches.