Sports Mole previews Friday’s World Cup Qualifying – Africa clash between Madagascar and Comoros, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Madagascar will be seeking to get back to winning ways on Friday evening when they entertain the challenge of Comoros at the FNB Stadium.
The away side, meanwhile, make the journey aiming to continue their recent upturn in form which has seen them go six matches without defeat.
Match preview
Off the back of a 3-0 thrashing of Chad to kickstart their World Cup qualification journey, Madagascar opened 2024 with a 1-0 win over Burundi but came up short in their subsequent friendly encounter against Rwanda on March 25.
Romuald Rakotondrabe‘s men were undone on the stroke of half time by Gilbert Mugisha‘s opener, after which Djihad Bizimana sealed the deal in second-half stoppage time.
With one win from their two qualifiers so far, Barea are fourth in Group I, one point behind second-placed Mali and two further adrift of Comoros.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without a victory in the four previous editions of this fixture, losing three of them.
Ahead of a crunch six-pointer against Mali four days later, Friday’s hosts will be keen to set the tone with a dominant display in this one.
Comoros were denied a fourth straight win owing to a goalless stalemate against Angola when the sides faced off at Stade de Marrakech on March 25.
Stefano Cusin‘s men were in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest but failed to find the all-important winner in a tight affair.
Les Coelacantes have won both of their World Cup qualifiers so far and currently sit top of their group heading into Friday’s clash in Johannesburg.
Having ended a two-game losing streak on the road in their most recent away outing, Friday’s visitors now set out to record consecutive wins on enemy territory for the first time in four years.
Madagascar World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:
Madagascar form (all competitions):
Comoros World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:
Comoros form (all competitions):
Team News
Rafiki Said matched his personal-best tally of nine league strikes and three assists last season, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Youssouf M’Changama is set to rack up his 60th cap, which would see him extend his lead at the top of the visitors’ all-time appearances chart.
Nineteen-year-old Sayha Seha was recently handed his maiden international call-up for Madagascar and will be pushing to make his full debut.
Arnaud Randrianantenaina endured a rough campaign in front of goal last time out, but the 23-year-old is expected to lead the line for the hosts nonetheless.
Madagascar possible starting lineup:
Rakotoasimbola; Randrianiaina, Razafindraibeharimihanta, Metanire, Rabarijaona; Manoelantsoa, Raveloson, Ilaimaharitra; Andriamahitsinoro, Andriamahitsinoro, Randrianantenaina
Comoros possible starting lineup:
Pandor; Youssouf, Bakari, M’Dahoma, Zahary; M’Changama, Youssouf, Bourhane; Mogni, Selemani, Said
We say: Madagascar 1-2 Comoros
Comoros have been impressive at both ends of the pitch of late, and they will back themselves to make it three wins from three qualifying matches. We are backing the visitors to emerge triumphant come the sound of the final whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
