“THERE’S ONLY ONE RAKOTOHARIMALALA”
Move over, Mo Salah: the Africa Cup of Nations is all about Madagascar
Some of the biggest names in world football will be lining up at the Africa Cup of Nations this month – for Madagascar.
The tournament takes place in Egypt between June 21 and July 19 and Madagascar have qualified for the first time in their history, despite being officially ranked 190th in the world just five years ago, out of 209 countries.
Among the goalscorers during qualifying were Njiva Rakotoharimalala and Carolus Andriamatsinoro, while French-based pair Zotsara Randriambololona and Pascal Razakanantenaina will also hope to be involved. Pity the poor commentators.
Madagascar’s qualification was marred by tragedy, though: a stampede occurred inside the national stadium in Antananarivo before their 2-2 draw with Senegal, killing one person and injuring 40 more.
The island country have been drawn in the same group as Burundi, who are also making their first ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their qualification hopes were boosted when they recruited Stoke striker Saido Berahino, who netted on his debut in September – a crucial 1-1 draw against Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon. The Arsenal frontman will have to watch this summer’s tournament at home. Berahino had previously sat on the bench for England in a Euro 2016 qualifier with Slovenia but never came on, allowing him to switch nationalities and represent the nation of his birth. Since that day in 2014, he’s scored only 14 league goals in four-and-a-half seasons for West Bromwich Albion and Stoke, with a failed move to Tottenham in August 2015 proving a turning point. AFCON’S 24-team tournament also features a third debutant: western African nation Mauritania, which is 90 per cent Sahara desert. Egypt approach the event as the bookies’ favourites after taking over hosting rights from Cameroon, who were stripped of the tournament in November due to preparation delays. The Pharaohs have been widely tipped for one key reason: Mo Salah. The early second favourites? Senegal, because of Sadio Mané. If only Madagascar could tempt Bobby Firmino on board, they’d surely be backed for glory, too. They probably wouldn’t be keen, though: the Liverpool forward’s name is simply not big enough for them.