Madagascar vs Gambia Prediction: Crucial encounter for two struggling nations

Stade Larbi Zaouli will be the venue for the AFCON qualifying encounter between Madagascar and Gambia. Heading into this game, the two teams could not secure a win. How will they approach this encounter?

Madagascar picked their first point in this qualifier last time out against Comoros and will look to secure a win this time. In that encounter, Charles Andriamatsinoro put Madagascar in the lead in the 9th minute, but Youssouf M’Changama’s goal before the break was enough to see them end in a draw, with no goal in the second half. Heading into this game, Madagascar have just one win in recent matches, coming against Comoros in the World Cup qualifier. In the meantime, other encounters ended in two defeats and two draws. In the Group A qualifier standings, Madagascar sit bottom spot, scoring one goal and conceding two. 

Gambia played Tunisia the last time out in this qualifier and ended on the losing end, ending 1-2. In that game, Gambia did well to hold their opponent to a 1-1 draw, with Ali Sowe leveling the scores for Gambia, having been behind within 11 minutes of the game through Ali Abdi’s strike for Tunisia. However, a 75th-minute goal from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was enough to seal maximum points for Tunisia. Heading into this game, Gambia have failed to win any of their last three matches, losing two. Gambia sits third in the qualifying Group A standings, scoring two goals and three conceded. 

This is going to be a very close contest, as the two teams’ level of play is practically on the same level. While this will be their first-ever meeting, it is tough to write either side off. I do not trust Madagascar at home, despite being slightly favored here. With Gambia looking more appealing to me, I will blindly trust them here, a game that should be focused on defensive play.