Needing a win to guarantee their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Angola play host to Madagascar in the final round of Group E games at the Tundavala National Stadium on Thursday.
Romuald Rakotondrabe's men, who are one of just eight sides yet to record a victory in the qualifiers, have endured a truly forgettable campaign and are currently rooted to the bottom of the table.
Match preview
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Angola have enjoyed an impressive campaign in their quest for a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as they sit second in Group E heading into the final round of group-stage games.
Pedro Goncalves's men kicked off the qualifiers with a 2-1 victory in the group opener in June 2022, four days before coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Madagascar at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium.
Angola were sent crashing back to earth in their subsequent group game when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Ghana on March 24, before playing out a 1-1 draw with the Black Stars in the second of their two back-to-back meetings four days later.
However, the Black Sable Antelopes picked up three huge points in their quest for a place in Ivory Coast as they beat beat 10-man Central African Republic 2-1 in their most recent group outing on June 17.
In a game where Dominique Youfeigane received his marching orders, Kialonda Gaspar and Felicia Milson scored either side of Geoffrey Kondogbia's 46th-minute equaliser to hand the visitors all three points at the Stade de la Reunification.
Angola have now won two of their five Group E matches while losing once and picking up two draws to collect eight points and sit second in the table, one point above third-placed Central African Republic and one below group leader Ghana.
Madagascar, on the other hand, were denied their first win of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last time out when they held on for a goalless draw against Ghana at the Tundavala National Stadium.
Despite seeing less than 40% of the ball possession and being under the cosh for most of the game, Rakotondrabe's men held their own in front of their home supporters to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, the Barea enjoyed an impressive run in the 2023 African Nations Championship, where they beat Niger 1-0 in the third-place playoffs on February 3, before returning to the AFCON qualifiers with successive defeats against Central African Republic in March's double-header.
With June's draw against the Black Stars, Madagascar have now failed to win any of their last nine AFCON qualifying games, losing five and picking up four draws since a 6-2 victory over Niger in November 2019.
Madagascar have made just one appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, which came in 2019, when they enjoyed an impressive run to the quarter-finals before falling to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisia.
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Team News
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Angola has named a 28-man squad for Thursday's clash, with the likes of Nebulu, Valenciennes' defender Jonathan Buatu-Mananga and experienced forward Gelson Dala headlining the team.
Dala is currently sixth in the nation's all-time scoring chart with 14 goals from 34 matches and the Al-Wakeh man should lead the hosts' attack, alongside Milson and Helder Costa.
Ivan Cavaleiro, who completed a move from Fulham to French outfit Lille in the just-concluded summer transfer window, has also earned his first call-up to the Angola national team.
Meanwhile, Rakotondrabe has called up an experienced squad, including the likes of goalkeeper Razakanirina Rakotohasimbola, 32-year-old Fabien Boyer and Fosa Juniors man Romario Baggio.
Carolus Andria, who has 11 goals in 45 senior appearances should spearhead the Berea attack once again, alongside 25-year-old Tendry and FC Arges man Dorian Bertrand.
Angola possible starting lineup:
Nebulu; Carneiro, Buatu-Mananga, Gaspar, Afonso; Fredy, Migue, Estrela; Dala, Milson, Costa
Madagascar possible starting lineup:
Rakotohasimbola; Metanire, Boyer, Nirina, Rabarijaona; Rafanomezantsoa, Manoelantsoa, Baggio; Tendry, Andria, Bertrand
We say: Angola 1-0 Madagascar
While Madagascar have nothing to play for, Angola head into Thursday needing all three points to guarantee their spot in Ivory Coast. The Black Sable Antelopes have been rock-solid on home turf and we are backing them to come away with all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
